Pope and Patriarchs Pray for Christian Unity in Turkey/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV joined Orthodox patriarchs and Christian leaders in Iznik, Turkey, to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and pray for unity among Christian denominations. The event symbolized rare cooperation between Catholic and Orthodox churches. The Pope emphasized peace and spiritual reconciliation in his visit to the historic site.
Pope’s Pilgrimage to Nicaea Quick Looks
- Pope Leo XIV joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Turkey
- Prayer held at site of the ancient 325 A.D. Council of Nicaea
- Council of Nicaea produced a creed shared across Christian denominations
- Ecumenical service featured alternating Catholic and Orthodox hymns
- Event marks 1,700th anniversary of foundational Christian gathering
- Brief Islamic protest occurred but ended peacefully
- Pope emphasized peace, unity, and the “living faith” behind the creed
- Turkey’s small Catholic community receives support from Pope
- Leo met with Turkish President Erdogan, stressed religious coexistence
- Trip continues to Lebanon for regional peace and Christian solidarity
Deep Look: Pope Leo XIV and Christian Patriarchs Mark 1,700 Years Since Council of Nicaea with Prayers for Unity
IZNIK, Turkey — In a powerful display of inter-Christian solidarity, Pope Leo XIV joined Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I and other global church leaders on Friday to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the pivotal 325 A.D. assembly that unified Christian doctrine through the creation of the Nicaean Creed.
Gathered at the shores of Lake Iznik, the site of the original council, these leaders came together in prayer and reflection at the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos, now partially uncovered due to receding water levels. Their purpose was both symbolic and spiritual: to mark a cornerstone of Christian faith and to foster unity across centuries-old denominational divides.
A Shared Creed in a Divided Faith
Though the Great Schism of 1054 split the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the Nicaean Creed remains one of the few unifying elements across Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and most Protestant traditions. Friday’s gathering represented a rare moment of ecumenical alignment at the very site where foundational Christian beliefs were first formalized.
Pope Leo, who arrived by helicopter from Istanbul shortly after the Islamic call to prayer echoed from a nearby mosque, spoke of the creed not just as religious doctrine, but as a “living reality” that continues to shape Christian faith.
“It’s not merely a formula,” he said. “It’s the essential core of our faith — one that has grown organically, illuminating the heart of Christian belief.”
Prayers Over Ruins and Hopes for Renewal
The ecumenical service, held near the recently unearthed basilica ruins, featured alternating Catholic and Orthodox hymns as church leaders from various traditions — Greek, Syrian, Armenian, Coptic, Malankarese, Protestant, and Anglican — joined in prayer. Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew led a solemn procession over the ruins, a symbolic act of shared remembrance and hope.
For many, the service was not just about historical reflection, but also about healing the fractures that have long divided Christian denominations.
Protest and Response in Muslim-Majority Turkey
Christianity is a minority faith in Sunni Muslim-majority Turkey, and the high-profile gathering drew a small protest from around 20 members of the New Welfare Party, a conservative Islamic political group. Under tight police supervision, the group claimed the event threatened Turkish sovereignty and warned of attempts to establish a “Vatican-like state.”
The protest ended peacefully, and the ceremony continued undisturbed.
Locals held mixed views. Suleyman Bulut, a 35-year-old Iznik resident, welcomed the visit, recognizing the town’s importance in Christian history. “Just like Muslims visit their heritage abroad, Christians should be able to visit theirs,” he said. However, others, like shopkeeper Hasan Maral, expressed discomfort with the Pope’s presence.
Supporting Turkey’s Tiny Catholic Flock
With only 33,000 Catholics in a population of 85 million, Turkey’s Catholic community is small but vibrant. Pope Leo began his visit by offering support and encouragement.
“The logic of littleness is the Church’s true strength,” he told worshippers at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul, noting that the Catholic Church has a unique opportunity to serve migrants, refugees, and the vulnerable in Turkey.
He later met with nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate a nursing home in Istanbul. Sister Margret described the Pope’s visit as uplifting: “He was so simple, so at ease. Everyone left with a blessing or kind word.”
A Historic Trip with a Message of Peace
On Thursday, Pope Leo met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, delivering a message of peace and mutual respect between faiths. His agenda also includes visits to both Christian and Islamic sites, including the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), underlining his intent to foster interfaith dialogue.
On Saturday, he will continue his ecumenical meetings with other church leaders, before traveling to Lebanon on Sunday — the final leg of a trip centered around Christian unity, Middle Eastern peace, and the spiritual ties that cross national and doctrinal boundaries.
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