The pontiff begins a trip to Turkey and Lebanon on Thursday — the first foreign voyage of his papacy, and his biggest test yet.
The pope chose a region rife with religious divisions and conflict for his first trip abroad. He arrived in Lebanon on Sunday after a few days in Turkey.
The choice signals that Pope Leo XIV aims to press for peace in the Middle East and show support for Christians in the region.
The choice signals that Pope Leo XIV aims to press for peace in the Middle East and show support for Christians in the region.
Mr. Huckabee, a Baptist minister, is the first evangelical to serve as American ambassador to Israel. Christian conservatives and the Netanyahu government are pleased.