AP cross-regional team delivers striking cross-format coverage of Pope Leo XIV’s first foreign trip

By Nicole Winfield, Maria Grazia, Patricia Thomas, Paolo Santalucia, Domenico Stinellis, Elida Ramadani, Suzan Fraser, Ayse Wieting, Francisco Seco, Khalil Hamra, Mehmet Guzel, Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb, Malak Harb, Fadi Tawil, Bassam Hatoum, Hussein Malla, Hassan Ammar, Bilal Hussein, Abby Sewell

Pope Leo XIV’s first foreign trip — a visit to Turkey and Lebanon — demanded complex cross-border coordination and exceptional cross-format execution, and AP delivered with expansive, multi-region coverage that moved far beyond spot news.

The team began its reporting even before the pope’s arrival, producing a range of stories that added depth and humanity to the trip: a look at Turkey’s long-closed Orthodox seminary, a report from survivors of Beirut’s port explosion, and voices from Christian communities in southern Lebanon who saw the visit as a sign of hope. Coverage also included a visual explainer mapping out the pope’s itinerary and a photo essay capturing the daily lives and history of Lebanese Christians.

Once Pope Leo XIV arrived, AP’s Europe and Middle East teams were in place at every stop, delivering rapid-response reporting across formats. The package included live blogs, video explainers, rich photo galleries and timely features — all alongside traditional spot stories — providing comprehensive context and compelling storytelling at every step of the pope’s journey.

This cohesive, multi-bureau effort showcased the best of AP’s global strengths and storytelling capabilities.