The pontiff begins a trip to Turkey and Lebanon on Thursday, the first of his papacy — and his biggest test yet.

In a new doctrinal note, Pope Leo and the Vatican sharply reject polygamy and growing Western polyamory, praising monogamy as an exclusive union between one man and one woman.

Pope Leo XIV has a message for Americans celebrating Thanksgiving. While speaking with NBC’s Molly Hunter on Nov. 25, the Chicago native shared what he hopes people remember during the annual holiday.

For the first time, an American Thanksgiving will be held at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer palace about an hour outside of Rome. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Molly Hunter speaks with Pope Leo where he shares his Thanksgiving message and what he’s thankful for.

A papal video message appeared before a crowd of hundreds, as Guilherme Peixoto, a priest who doubles as an electronic D.J., put on a show.

As he prepares for his first foreign trip, Pope Leo had a message for Americans on the eve of Thanksgiving. NBC News’ Molly Hunter reports.