Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Gathering for Christian Unity in Turkey
A Momentous Meeting at an Ancient Site
In a deeply symbolic gesture aimed at healing centuries-old divisions, Pope Leo XIV joined Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I and other Christian leaders at Turkey’s Lake Iznik to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Standing above the ancient ruins where Christian bishops first gathered in 325 AD, these modern church leaders jointly recited the Nicene Creed—a statement of faith that emerged from that historic council and remains a cornerstone of Christian doctrine today. “This is of fundamental importance in the journey that Christians are making toward full communion,” Pope Leo remarked during the ceremony, emphasizing that Christians must work to “overcome the scandal of the divisions that unfortunately still exist.” The gathering represents the central purpose of the Pope’s first foreign trip since his pontificate began, highlighting his commitment to ecumenical dialogue and the search for Christian unity.
The Enduring Significance of the Nicene Creed
The Council of Nicaea holds a unique place in Christian history as it occurred when Eastern and Western Christian traditions were still united, long before the Great Schism of 1054 that divided them primarily over papal authority. Despite these divisions, the Nicene Creed remains universally accepted across Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant denominations, serving as a rare point of theological agreement among Christians worldwide. Patriarch Bartholomew underscored this significance, calling the creed “a seed for the whole of our Christian existence” rather than simply “a bare minimum” of shared belief. The service took place at the lakeside archaeological site of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos, where stone foundations were recently revealed by receding waters—believed to be the very location where the original council convened seventeen centuries ago. The prayer service beautifully interwove Catholic and Orthodox hymns, creating an atmosphere of shared heritage despite the longstanding divisions.
A Gathering of Diverse Christian Traditions
The commemoration brought together an impressive array of Christian leaders beyond just the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch. Representatives from Greek, Syrian, Coptic, Malankarese, and Armenian Orthodox churches participated alongside Protestant and Anglican leaders. This diverse assembly demonstrated how the Nicene Creed continues to serve as a unifying theological foundation across Christian denominations. During his address, Pope Leo took the opportunity to reject religious extremism, stating that Christians must “strongly reject the use of religion to justify war, violence or any form of fundamentalism or fanaticism.” Instead, he advocated for “fraternal encounter, dialogue and cooperation” as the path forward—a message that resonated not only for inter-Christian relations but also for interfaith understanding in a predominantly Muslim country.
Turkish Reactions: Hospitality and Hesitation
The Christian leaders’ gathering in Turkey—a nation where approximately 99% of the population is Muslim—was not without controversy. Prior to the Pope’s arrival in Iznik, about twenty members of the small Turkish Islamic New Welfare Party staged a brief protest under heavy police supervision. Their spokesperson, Mehmet Kaygusuz, expressed concerns that the meeting threatened Turkey’s sovereignty and national identity, claiming it represented efforts to establish “a Vatican-like Greek Orthodox state” in Turkey. Local residents showed mixed reactions: Suleyman Bulut, a 35-year-old Iznik resident, welcomed the Christian pilgrims, saying, “Muslims too should go and visit places that belong to us in the rest of the world, in Europe.” Meanwhile, shopkeeper Hasan Maral expressed discomfort with the papal visit, stating that “the pope coming here feels contradictory to my faith.” Despite these tensions, the event proceeded peacefully, demonstrating Turkey’s complex relationship with its pre-Islamic Christian heritage.
Encouraging Turkey’s Small Catholic Community
Before the Nicaea commemoration, Pope Leo began his day by visiting Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where he received an enthusiastic welcome from Turkey’s tiny Catholic community. Catholics number only around 33,000 in the nation of 85 million people, a reality the Pope addressed directly in his remarks. “The logic of littleness is the church’s true strength,” he told the gathered faithful in English, encouraging them to find purpose in their minority status. He particularly highlighted “the significant presence of migrants and refugees in this country,” which “presents the church with the challenge of welcoming and serving some of the most vulnerable.” Later, the Pope visited the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home in Istanbul, where Sister Margret described his presence as transformative: “He was so simple. We just felt he was at home. He felt very much at ease. Everybody got what they expected: a blessing, a kind word. It’s just enormous.”
Looking Ahead: Interfaith Dialogue and Ongoing Journey
Pope Leo’s trip continues with further ecumenical engagements scheduled with Patriarch Bartholomew and other Christian leaders, demonstrating his commitment to healing historical divisions. His itinerary also includes a visit to Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) and a Mass celebration at the Volkswagen Arena—balancing Christian unity efforts with broader interfaith outreach in a predominantly Muslim nation. The Turkish visit represents only the first leg of the Pope’s journey, which will continue with a trip to Lebanon on Sunday. Throughout his visit, Leo has emphasized that commemorating the Council of Nicaea is not merely about honoring the past but about finding shared pathways forward. As Patriarch Bartholomew eloquently expressed during the service, “We are here to bear living witness to the same faith expressed by the fathers of Nicaea. We return to this wellspring of the Christian faith in order to move forward.” This forward-looking approach to ancient traditions characterizes the Pope’s vision for Christian unity—acknowledging historical divisions while working toward reconciliation based on common beliefs.
