Pope Leo XIV is heading to Turkey on his first foreign trip. He's fulfilling Pope Francis’ plans to mark an important Orthodox anniversary and bring a message of peace to the region at a crucial time for efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease Mideast tensions. Leo is arriving Thursday first in Ankara, where he has a meeting planned with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a speech to the country’s diplomatic corps. He’ll then move onto Istanbul for three days of ecumenical and interfaith meetings that will be followed by the Lebanese leg of his trip. Leo’s visit comes as Turkey has cast itself as a key intermediary in peace negotiations for the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg poses with his MVP trophy after Michigan defeated Gonzaga in an NCAA college basketball game in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Michigan head coach Dusty May, center celebrates with his players after defeating Gonzaga in an NCAA college basketball game in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) and guard Elliot Cadeau (3) celebrate a score against Gonzaga during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Michigan center Aday Mara (15) celebrates a play against Gonzaga during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

President Donald Trump says Wednesday's attack on two National Guard members near the White House highlights the dangers of lax migration policies. He calls it the greatest national security threat. Trump says the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 after Kabul's collapse. He criticizes former President Joe Biden's handling of Afghan evacuees and plans to review those who entered under Biden's administration. Trump also targets Minnesota's Somali community, calling for the removal of those who don't benefit the country. Supporters of Afghan evacuees fear increased scrutiny and political exploitation of the incident.