ISTANBUL, Turkey — Pope Leo XIV commenced his inaugural papal visit to Turkey with profound spiritual significance, engaging directly with the nation’s Catholic minority during Friday’s morning proceedings. The pontiff received enthusiastic welcomes at Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where congregants chanted “Papa Leo” and “Viva il Papa” in a display of reverence for the newly elected spiritual leader.
The core objective of Leo’s pilgrimage centers on the commemoration of the Nicaean Creed’s 1,700th anniversary—a foundational document of Christian faith formulated during the 325 AD Council of Nicaea. This theological milestone represents one of Christianity’s most enduring unifying documents, accepted across Catholic, Orthodox, and major Protestant traditions despite historical doctrinal divisions.
The commemorative ceremonies will occur in Iznik (modern-day Nicaea), approximately 93 miles southeast of Istanbul, where Pope Leo will jointly preside with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual authority for global Orthodox Christians. This collaborative leadership underscores the ongoing ecumenical efforts toward Christian unity that have characterized interfaith dialogue for centuries.
The pontiff’s arrival on Thursday included diplomatic discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which Leo emphasized peace-building initiatives and Turkey’s potential role as a regional stabilizing force. This visit marks the pope’s first international journey since assuming the papacy, signaling the Vatican’s continued commitment to interfaith dialogue and historical reconciliation.