Pope Leo XIV is set to emphasize Christian unity during a significant pilgrimage to Turkey, marking a high point in his first foreign trip. The Pope will visit Iznik, the site of the historic Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD, where early church leaders convened under the Roman Emperor Constantine. This council established the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of faith still recited by millions of Christians every Sunday.
During his visit, Pope Leo will join Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, in a prayer at the site. Together, they will sign a joint declaration aimed at fostering unity among Christian denominations. The gathering at Nicaea was unprecedented, with at least 250 bishops from across the Roman Empire in attendance, marking a momentous occasion in Christian history.
The Pope’s pilgrimage is part of a broader message of peace that he has emphasized throughout his trip from November 27 to December 2, 2023. He has called for an end to conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and Gaza. On Thursday, he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, encouraging Turkey to act as a source of stability and dialogue in a world facing numerous challenges.
Day Two of the Pope’s Tour
On the second day of his tour, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with bishops and church officials at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, a 19th-century Baroque church located in Istanbul’s Sisli district. Following this visit, he will go to a nearby nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order dedicated to caring for impoverished elderly individuals.
After his engagements in Istanbul, the Pope will travel by helicopter to Iznik, known in Roman times as Nicaea. The site is marked by the ruins of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos, which was constructed approximately fifty years after the council took place. At this historic location, he will pray alongside Patriarch Bartholomew, further reinforcing the message of unity.
Upon returning to Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV is expected to hold a private meeting with bishops at the Apostolic Delegation, which serves as the Vatican’s consulate in the city. His actions and declarations throughout this pilgrimage reflect a commitment not only to Christian unity but also to interfaith dialogue, particularly with the Muslim community.
This journey underscores Pope Leo XIV’s desire to bridge divides that have existed since the Great Schism of 1054, which primarily resulted from disagreements regarding the primacy of the Pope. In these times of division, his efforts aim to rekindle the spirit of cooperation and understanding among different branches of Christianity and beyond.