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Virginia Dem says Trump admin has 'taken its eye off the ball' on public safety amid National Guard shooting
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., accused the Trump administration of taking "its eye off the ball" on public safety following the Washington, D.C., shooting on Wednesday.
Earlier Wednesday, two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in the shooting just blocks from the White House. Authorities said the attack appeared to be targeted, and the FBI is investigating it as a possible act of terrorism.
While appearing on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper," Walkinshaw was asked about whether the recent shooting changed his thoughts about the safety of National Guard officers deployed in the city.
"Well, look, obviously, as I said, most of us certainly on the Democratic side in Congress don‘t think we should have National Guardsmen and women in our cities," Walkinshaw said. "But if that‘s going to happen and when that‘s going to happen, I think it‘s incumbent upon the administration to lay out a clear plan to ensure their protection. And one of my concerns that I intend to raise as a new member of the Homeland Security Committee is the way in which the Trump administration has taken its eye off the ball in a lot of critical public safety areas and shifted resources to their mass deportation efforts."
He continued, "So they‘re shifting resources away from illegal gun trafficking, from transnational crime, from anti-terrorism, both domestic and foreign. And they need to get their eyes back on the ball and focus on keeping all of us here in the United States of America safe."
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Walkinshaw reiterated that he still does not believe National Guard members are needed in the city and urged the Trump administration to redirect those resources elsewhere.
"There are a lot of things that the federal government could do to help keep Washington, D.C., safe, and other cities across the country safe," Walkinshaw said. "I mentioned some of those things. They could do more, much more to crack down on illegal gun trafficking. They could do much more to prevent human trafficking and child sex trafficking. They‘re taking their eyes off of that ball. I think that‘s a better use of the federal resources than National Guardsmen and women in American cities, including the District of Columbia."
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
Law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that the gunman accused of shooting the National Guard members is 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the country in 2021.
'Zootopia 2' Review: Disney's animated crime caper delivers fun for the little critters
Move over Starsky and Hutch. Hopps and Wilde are back. And they're packing heat — um — fur.
"Zootopia 2" is the follow-up to Disney's hit animated film from 2016 that takes place in a world run by anthropomorphic animals. In the first installment, we meet Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), an overly-eager cop trying to leave her mark as the first rabbit to join the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD), and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a slick red fox who leaves his life as a con artist behind to help Hopps crack a case, resulting in him also getting his own badge.
One year later, Hopps and Wilde are still partners, but perhaps a dysfunctional pair. After botching an illegal smuggling operation bust, their cape buffalo ZPD Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) orders them to participate in a "Partners in Crisis" group therapy.
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Hopps is itching to hop onto a new case — and she has a hunch that something might be afoot at the Zootenial Gala celebrating Zootopia's 100th year since its founding. Despite reptiles being banished from Zootopia, a blue snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan) crashes the party to steal a mysterious journal that once belonged to Zootopia's founder Ebeneezer Lynxley. But an accident will result in Hopps and Wilde hunting down Gary while being hunted by the ZPD as well as the Lynxley family, who desperately want the journal back.
"Zootopia 2" doesn't break new ground but Walt Disney Animated Studios (not to be confused with Pixar, which released "Elio" earlier this year) has a fruitful franchise on its hands. Fan favorites from the first installment return, like the iconic DMV-working sloth Flash (Raymond S. Persi) and the adorable chunky ZPD dispatcher cheetah Benjamin Clawhauser (Nate Torrence) and we are introduced to new faces like the actor-turned-mayor stallion Brian Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), a conspiracy podcast-hosting beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimister).
The voice cast is stacked with A-list talent, many of them making one-line cameos — Andy Sandberg, Shakira, Josh Gad, June Squibb, Danny Trejo, Michael J. Fox, Mario Lopez and Dwayne Johnson just to name a few — my personal favorite is Quinta Brunson (of "Abbott Elementary" fame) playing Dr. Fuzzby, the mild-mannered quokka therapist leading the struggle session Hopps and Wilde are stuck in.
While it's obviously geared towards kids, "Zootopia 2" is flooded with cultural references to amuse adults, ranging from "Ratatouille" to "The Shining."
The creative duo of Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who've written and/or directed past Disney hits like "Encanto," the first "Zootopia" and the "Moana" films, clearly have the magic formula to entertain kids and to make the House of Mouse a lot of money.
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"Zootopia 2" is a cute, harmless, gorgeously animated film that offers fun for kids and parents alike. Is it a top tier sequel? No — but it doesn't have to be. So if you take your kids or grandkids out of the house for a couple of hours, "Zootopia 2" might be your best bet at the movie theater this holiday season. Otherwise, you can wait to eventually stream it on Disney+.
"Zootopia 2" is rated PG for action/violence and rude humor. Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. In theaters November 26, 2025.
Stop heartburn before it starts: 5 dinner mistakes to avoid, from a GI doctor
The holidays are a time for family, food and festive cheer — but for many people, they also bring an unwelcome guest: heartburn.
It’s no coincidence that cases of reflux spike this time of year, according to Dr. Mark Shachner, medical director of the Broward Health Coral Springs Heartburn Center in South Florida.
"Heartburn tends to flare up during the holidays because we often eat larger portions, enjoy richer foods, and indulge in more sweets and alcohol than usual," he told Fox News Digital.
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Combine those rich holiday foods and drinks with overeating, late-night meals, and lying down too soon after eating, and you’ve got what the doctor calls "a recipe for reflux."
Below, the doctor shares five common mistakes people make that can trigger heartburn — during the holidays and year-round.
Shachner recommends eating smaller portions, chewing slower and resisting the urge to go back for seconds until you’ve had time to digest.
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Staying upright for at least two to three hours after eating helps the stomach empty more efficiently — and keeps acid where it belongs.
"Moderation and timing make the biggest difference," Shachner added.
It’s tempting to grab one last cookie or slice of pie before bed, but Shachner recommends allowing two to three hours between your last bite and bedtime.
Going to bed too soon after eating is one of the biggest culprits for reflux, since lying flat makes it easier for stomach acid to creep upward, he said.
Walking or other low-effort activities after a big meal can make all the difference, according to Shachner.
"A gentle walk after meals helps digestion and reduces reflux," he said.
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Even light activity helps the stomach process food and reduces the pressure that leads to heartburn. No matter how appealing it may seem, Shachner recommends avoiding the post-feast nap.
Some foods and drinks are more likely to cause trouble. Common triggers include fatty or fried dishes, tomato sauces, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, coffee and carbonated drinks, according to the doctor.
"Everyone’s triggers are a little different, so paying attention to which foods cause discomfort is important," he added.
An occasional bout of heartburn isn’t usually cause for concern, but if you’re having symptoms two or more times a week, or if over-the-counter remedies stop working, the doctor said it's important to pay attention.
"That’s when it’s time to see a doctor for a full evaluation," he said.
Chronic reflux can signal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause long-term damage if left untreated.
The doctor also cautioned about relying too heavily on antacids or acid reducers. "It’s best to use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional who can identify and treat the root cause rather than just the symptoms," he advised.
For people with chronic reflux, there are now minimally invasive, FDA-approved treatments that provide lasting relief without traditional surgery.
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"One example is the LINX® procedure, which uses a small ring of magnetic beads to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter," Shachner shared.
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Another is transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), which restores the natural barrier between the stomach and esophagus through the mouth, with no external incisions.
How the White House turkey pardon became an American tradition
President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys Tuesday — Gobble and Waddle — as part of an annual tradition that has occurred at the White House for more than 35 years.
The Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning is a ceremony originating from the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation that started dating back to the 1940s, when the National Turkey Federation would present the president with a live turkey for Thanksgiving.
President John F. Kennedy is often credited with pardoning the first turkey in 1963, when he said that he would "let this one grow." Although Kennedy didn’t use the word "pardon," the L.A. Times reported on the matter with the headline, "Turkey gets presidential pardon," according to an NBC News archive.
President Ronald Reagan also made a joke about pardoning that year's turkey, Charlie, in response to a question from a reporter, according to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum.
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"If they'd given me a different answer on Charlie and his future, I would have pardoned him," Reagan said in 1987.
However, the tradition was codified during George H.W. Bush’s administration as an annual tradition, according to the White House Historical Association. Bush used the word pardon, and the tradition continued each year afterward.
"But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy — he’s presented a presidential pardon as of right now — and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here," Bush said in 1989.
Gobble and Waddle clocked in at 50 pounds and 52 pounds each, and traveled from North Carolina to the Washington’s Willard InterContinental Hotel for the annual tradition. Following the pardoning, they will head to North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science.
During the ceremony in the Rose Garden, Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden, and said that Biden used the autopen to pardon the 2024 turkeys, and as a result those pardons were "totally invalid."
As a result, Trump quipped that he had pardoned those turkeys too, and said that he "saved them in the nick of time."
Ex-NFL star praises Cowboys player's 'all-out effort' on key special teams turnover
Dallas Cowboys player Alijah Clark turned heads over the weekend when he showed off incredible hustle to force a key turnover during the team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
During a Cowboys punt, Clark was pushed down multiple times but still got back up to cause Xavier Gipson to fumble. Many NFL fans and players applauded Clark, including former star pass rusher Shawne Merriman, who told Fox News Digital that type of effort is exactly what any coach would want to see out of a player.
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"It was clear coaching tape of what you want to show every high school kid in the country," Merriman said. "People come up to me all the time, they want to play in the NFL, that’s what I would show them. If you ever want to make a team, if you’re on the fence whether you can make a team or not, you do that, you put yourself in the best position to make that 53-man roster. That’s clear coaching tape of all-out effort of what these young players need to see."
Clark joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent this year. Merriman said that it’s those types of plays that would keep him on a roster for a long time.
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"That is what determines if a guy is gonna make a team or not. I always tell guys, ‘The more you can do.’ If you can run down on special teams and make a play like that, I know guys who stayed around in the NFL for a very long time making plays like that and that’s what you need to do," Merriman added.
While the Cowboys failed to gain any points after the play, Dallas was able to win the game 24-21.
He’s appeared in six games for Dallas and has 15 tackles.
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Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: IDF finds huge Hamas terror tunnel under UN compound
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
- IDF finds 4.5-mile Hamas tunnel under UN compound
- FBI was onto CAIR long before Texas branded it ‘terror organization’
- Speaker Mike Johnson calls out antisemitism, says Israel-US relations crucial
TOP STORY: The IDF revealed a seven-kilometer, 25-meter-deep Hamas "root tunnel" under Rafah with 80 rooms used for command, weapons and shelter. Originating beneath an UNRWA compound, it fed other tunnels and allegedly held Lt. Hadar Goldin. Israel says its destruction is a major strategic blow as it targets Hamas’s vast underground network.
VIDEO: Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams warns that the city's Jews face a tough environment under the leadership of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani. WATCH HERE:
G-MEN KNEW: The FBI restricted non-investigative contact with CAIR starting in 2008 after evidence linked its leaders to Hamas. A 2013 DOJ inspector general report found repeated violations of the ban and poor oversight. The revived findings follow Texas labeling CAIR a terrorist group, as federal lawmakers debate action against Islamist networks.
REJECTING HATE: House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the U.S.–Israel alliance as vital and urged universal rejection of antisemitism. He acknowledged GOP divisions but stressed Israel’s strategic and democratic importance. As some Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie break from traditional pro-Israel positions, Johnson emphasized unity, morality and support for the Jewish community.
GUEST EDITORIAL: Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S. Israel Education Association, a nonpartisan organization that promotes dialogue and cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, writes that it is crucial for Christians to stand with Israel amid rising antisemitism. "Antisemitism is not just an attack on Jews," writes Johnston. "It is an attack on the very foundation of our Christian identity."
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "You can make all sorts of arguments of why this is a really important friendship and alliance. But the antisemitism stuff ought to be universally rejected and called out. And I'm very insistent about that." House Speaker Mike Johnson on Israel-US relations.
- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.
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Ex-NFL star names which teams playing on Thanksgiving need to win the most
The NFL’s Thanksgiving Day slate features six teams that could really use a win in Week 13.
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will be the appetizer for fans before getting locked into Thanksgiving dinner. The Dallas Cowboys will try to defend their home turf against the Kansas City Chiefs. And the Cincinnati Bengals’ matchup against the Baltimore Ravens will be the dessert for the evening.
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Two-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green talked to Fox News Digital about the upcoming set of games. He said the two teams that need a win the most are going up against one another – the Cowboys and the Chiefs.
"The Chiefs and Cowboys could be the biggest Thanksgiving game ever in terms of number of attendance. (The) number of people watching that afternoon window is always the biggest window. You got the draw of the Cowboys," Green said. "You got the draw of (Patrick) Mahomes and the Chiefs. They’re both coming off huge fourth quarter comeback wins. The Cowboys, obviously, were down 21 and came back and found a way to win. The Chiefs had to score 11 in the fourth quarter and then go to overtime to get that win to get to 6-5. They’re still part of the mix. The Cowboys are still part of the mix.
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"To answer your question, which team needs it the most? I would probably say, if you look at it just numbers wise, it’d have to be the Cowboys or Kansas City. I think the most is riding on that game for both of those teams to try and find their way into the playoffs because that AFC North, with Baltimore and Pittsburgh tied at 6-5 at the top of the division, I think you have some leeway in that division. There’s only one team that comes out of it and it’s whoever wins the division. I don’t see a second team or a wild card team coming from the AFC North."
Kansas City finds itself in a position it has rarely been accustomed to in the last eight years – sitting on the outside looking in at the playoff hunt. The Chiefs are coming off of a big win against the Indianapolis Colts but will need more than that to replicate the success they’ve had since the 2018 season.
Dallas dominated the headlines coming into the season and the shakeup of the defense seemingly paid off. The Cowboys’ defense is essentially the same as last year in terms of points allowed (31st) and yards allowed (29th), but there’s momentum building after the team shut down the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half last week.
Green expects a "great battle" between the Lions and Packers with both teams eyeing playoff position. He added that Joe Burrow’s return to the Bengals' offense was sure to bring some "excitement for fans."
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Congress investigates betting scandals rocking NBA and Major League Baseball following federal charges
Odds are that most Thanksgiving dinners will include a heaping helping of Packers-Lions. A side of Chiefs-Cowboys. A run back out to the fridge for a plate of stuffing alongside the nightcap game of Bengals-Ravens. A veritable football smorgasbord paired with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a slab of pumpkin pie.
But the real side dish to go with the games may be your wagers. Drop the dark meat. Put your money where your mouth is.
More and more Americans are placing wagers on practically anything related to sports. You can take the over-under on individual games or see if the Lions cover the point spread. But many fans are now lured by very specific bets. You can wager money on how many passing attempts Lamar Jackson has or how many penalties the Lions will commit. Maybe bet how many times they’ll show Taylor Swift on the screen during the Chiefs contest. The American Gaming Association says sportsbooks scored a staggering $13.71 billion in revenue last year. Heightened gambling interest is what worries lawmakers.
Astonishing betting scandals recently rocked the NBA and Major League Baseball.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty earlier this week to charges of taking part in an illegal poker scheme with possible ties to organized crime.
Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat is due for arraignment on Dec. 8. Prosecutors accuse Rozier of yanking himself out of a game two years ago because of a foot injury. But bettors placed hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers on how many points Rozier might score, as well as rebounds and assists. The feds allege that Rozier benched himself to help a gambling ring that bet on the paucity of his performance that night.
And the feds busted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase for allegedly conspiring with bettors to throw specific pitches at specific times during the games. It’s believed this resulted in bettors pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
So there’s the gaming of the games.
That’s why lawmakers question whether fans can trust what they see on the field or the court.
"People have to have faith in the product and they have to have the belief that the players are playing and the coaches are on the up and up and the refs are on the up and up," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
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"You may not be able to throw a strike 10 percent of the time. But even a lousy pitcher as I am could throw a ball 100 percent of the time," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "These cheating scandals threaten to undermine the integrity of sports."
That’s why Cruz and the top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Maria Cantwell D-Wash., wrote to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. They want answers on suspicious wagers and whether there are any other instances of alleged rigging. Cruz and Cantwell fired off a letter to the NBA as well.
"We need these organizations to make sure that there's rules and regulations in place that are followed," said Cantwell. "What you should do to make sure that people are complying."
"If you're watching a game and you think ‘is this the glorious uncertainty of sport, or is this some theater designed by gambling mobsters and their addicted athletes?’ then the joy of sport is dead, ladies and gentlemen," said University of New Haven Professor Declan Hill after a meeting with lawmakers.
The latest line is on the emerging phenomenon of prop bets. People don’t wager on overall outcomes of games or who might win the division or conference, but instead place their money on individual events during the game, known as prop bets.
"We are a long way from the Black Sox scandal," said John Affleck, Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society at Penn State.
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That’s where eight members of the Chicago White Sox allegedly took money to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds – although the evidence of what the White Sox players may have done is mixed at best.
"We're now in a place where the first corner kick or the number of points you score in the first half can be manipulated if you have a willing athlete," said Affleck.
Sports leagues have all cozied up to commercial gambling operations over the past few years. Many established partnerships. Some lawmakers believe betting scandals were inevitable once the leagues and the gaming industry parlayed their fortunes together.
"These growing scandals simply highlight the need for national standards that stop the sports betting industry from exploiting vulnerable gamblers and the potential corruption among the players themselves," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "The sports betting industry has grown huge without any kind of safeguards against the use of algorithms and micro bets to target individuals, whether they are gamblers or players in sports."
Congress hasn’t passed a gambling law since 2006.
Lawmakers say the leagues should tread carefully with gambling. Fans could lose interest if they think the sports are rigged.
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"All these scandals," said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. "People are going to get tired of it and move on. I mean, my God, football, basketball, baseball should all be worried now that watching people play video games is a spectator sport."
And we reside in a period when people routinely take to social media to claim that the leagues only want certain teams to succeed or that the refs or umpires are biased against their club.
"I think of the proclivity of conspiracy theories in our modern world. It just sort of fits that as soon as you get a bad call as a fan, you go ‘Fix!,’" said Affleck. "That's what the leagues have to be worried about — a sense that everybody's on the take."
There are also worries about how gaming apps are designed to lure people.
"It's impossible to ignore the similarities between sportsbooks today and the big tobacco efforts of decades earlier," said Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. "Instead of ads with doctors recommending cigarettes, it's celebrities teaching viewers how to bet."
Tonko said one in five Americans bet on sports at least once a month and seven million people have a gambling problem. He added that one in five of those addicted to gambling will attempt suicide.
"In short, we are dealing with a massive and growing public health crisis involving a known addictive product," said Tonko.
Affleck believes gaming apps have "a particular appeal to younger bettors, which raises some alarm bells about early addiction."
So Congress is investigating, but it’s unclear if anything will come of the inquiry into the recent pro-betting scandals.
"I think there’s a risk of Congress overstepping," said Eric Schmitt, arguing that regulation of gaming should be left to the states.
So will much come of the congressional probe? Will we see gaming legislation from lawmakers?
Considering the current dysfunction of Congress, don’t bet on it.
When's the best time to eat Thanksgiving dinner? Experts share their verdict
Millions of Americans will be sitting down at their dinner tables and celebrating Thanksgiving — likely between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Even though the grand meal is called "Thanksgiving dinner," the dining time often falls between lunch and dinner.
Are there practical reasons for this early dinnertime, or is it just traditional?
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A culinary expert and two health experts weighed in — and all of them affirmed that mid-afternoon is the ideal eating time.
Danielle Vauthy, a professional chef at Hungryroot, told Fox News Digital that, when crafting an elaborate Thanksgiving meal, "timing is everything."
"Think of it like a restaurant. There's usually someone coordinating when each dish goes out, so everything hits the table at the perfect temperature," the Washington-based chef said.
"For Thanksgiving, early afternoon tends to work best, because most people start cooking in the morning."
Turkey, the star of every Thanksgiving dinner, needs ample time to cook and rest, Vauthy noted.
"The turkey usually takes up the oven most of the day, and it needs to rest before carving," she said.
"That rest time is perfect for crisping toppings, warming casseroles or reheating pre-cooked sides, so everything comes together beautifully."
Home chefs should plan ahead, preparing cold and room-temperature dishes ahead of time while taking hot food out of the oven as close to dinnertime as possible, said Vauthy.
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"If you want everything to be at its best, think about what can sit at room temperature, like salads, and what really needs to be served hot or crisp, like crispy turkey skin, crisp toppings or warm mashed potatoes," she said.
"Work backwards from there when planning your timing."
There are health-related reasons for the habit, too. Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian from California, told Fox News Digital that eating Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the day allows more time for digestion.
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It also "gives you the ability to fit in time for activity, like taking a walk, which can help with blood sugar balance," Menning said.
"When you eat a big Thanksgiving meal, which typically is high in fat and added sugar, your stomach has to expand to allow room for the additional volume of food, which can lead to stomach discomfort, gas, bloating or heartburn," she added.
"Listen to your hunger cues. Eat slowly and take breaks. Before you go back for seconds, pause and see if you are really hungry."
Dr. Omer Awan, a physician at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, told Fox News Digital that the ideal hour to eat Thanksgiving dinner leans toward 4 p.m., but some people might push it to 5 p.m.
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"This is because Thanksgiving dinner is usually a heavy meal and many Americans drink alcohol," Awan said.
"This gives the body plenty of time to digest and break down the carbohydrates, fats and protein before sleeping."
He also noted that eating earlier helps to control blood sugar levels, since many people's insulin sensitivity drops by the late evening.
"Ultimately, this can help prevent reflux, heartburn and poor sleep," the doctor added.
Pope Leo XIV opens first foreign trip in Turkey with a visit to Christianity’s early heartlands
Pope Leo XIV is using his very first foreign trip to make a statement that blends symbolism with geopolitical consequences. By landing in Turkey this morning for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and then into Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political freefall, the pope is stepping directly into places where Christianity once flourished.
His presence signals two messages at once: a bid to revive unity among Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant communities, and a warning to regional governments that persecution and instability will not go unnoticed. It’s an early test of how he intends to wield the soft power of the papacy.
Matthew R. Petrusek, Ph.D., senior director of the Word on Fire Institute, told Fox News Digital that the trip sends a clear signal about the priorities of the new pontiff. "Pope Leo has signaled early in his papacy that one of his primary objectives is to give hope to Christians who live in regions where they face persecution or other difficulties living out their faith. By traveling to Turkey and Lebanon, I think Leo is telling Christians both in those countries and across the globe, ‘You are not forgotten; the Church stands with you.’"
In Turkey, he will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. The landmark council convened in 325 AD in the ancient city of Nicaea, now Iznik, and produced the Nicene Creed, a central statement of Christian belief shared by Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants.
On Thursday, the pope will fly by helicopter to Iznik for a prayer at the archaeological remains of the basilica where the council met.
Petrusek emphasized the symbolic weight of this moment. "Christianity is a creedal religion — it is based on shared, free assent to unchanging doctrines about Jesus Christ and the Church that give consistency and coherence to Christianity around the world. The Nicene Creed forms the backbone of Christian identity."
To underline the anniversary, Leo issued an apostolic letter on Nov. 23 titled "In the Unity of Faith," highlighting the Creed’s enduring role in unifying Christian communities. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said the document stresses the relevance of Nicaea’s teachings for Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants today.
Petrusek said the pope’s approach makes a broader statement about unity. "The Creed includes the words, ‘I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.’ I believe Pope Leo is also signaling that he wants to do everything within his power, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, to heal the rifts that, sadly, still prevent Christ’s Church from being ‘one.’"
In Turkey, the pope will also meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, visit Christian communities in Istanbul and celebrate liturgies.
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The second half of the journey will take the pope to Lebanon, a country that last hosted a papal visit more than a decade ago. The late Pope Francis had hoped to travel there but was unable to do so due to his declining health.
Lebanon remains home to the largest proportion of Christians in the Middle East, but the population has plummeted due to economic collapse, emigration and political paralysis. The Associated Press reported that the pope will meet political leaders, Christian and Muslim clerics and families affected by overlapping crises. One of the most anticipated moments will come on Dec. 2, when Leo visits the Port of Beirut, the site of the 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people and wounded more than 6,000.
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Petrusek said papal visits have a profound emotional impact. "It is hard to overestimate the positive effect having the pope visit your country has for Catholics, especially those who are suffering because of their faith. It is a reminder that the ‘Church’ is not an abstraction but, rather, a historical reality that goes back to Jesus Christ himself."
He added that the pope’s presence carries a message for governments in the region. "In addition to his message of hope to the faithful, his presence in these countries communicates to those responsible for persecuting Christians, ‘Your crimes are not taking place in the dark; the world is watching.’"
In Lebanon, the pope will speak in both English and French. The Vatican has released the official missal for the liturgies, and Lebanese media are preparing for large crowds despite infrastructure shortages.
The Vatican is expected to emphasize Christian unity, interfaith dialogue and support for vulnerable communities. Pope Leo’s words in Turkey and Lebanon will be closely watched by regional governments and religious communities navigating conflict, insecurity and demographic decline.
Petrusek said the trip reflects the heart of Leo’s early papacy: "A papal visit brings immense hope and a renewed patience to persevere… suffering and death, especially as a result of persecution, not only doesn’t have the final say; when freely united to Christ on the Cross, it leads to nothing less than eternal life."