Pope Leo XIV began the key day of his first foreign trip to Turkey by encouraging the nation’s small Catholic community to embrace hope and find strength in its size. Inside and outside Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, crowds erupted in shouts of “Papa Leo” and “Viva il Papa”, welcoming the pontiff with cheering, clapping, and applause.

During the morning prayer, Leo presided over a service with Turkey’s Catholic clergy and nuns, reaffirming his mission to strengthen Christians in the region and promote centuries-long efforts for Christian unity.

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Celebrating the 1,700th Anniversary of the Nicaean Creed

The central purpose of Pope Leo XIV’s visit is to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD. The council, convened by Roman Emperor Constantine, brought together bishops from across the empire and produced the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith still recited by millions of Christians worldwide.

At that time, the Eastern and Western churches were united, long before the Great Schism of 1054 divided Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Today, the Nicene Creed remains widely accepted across Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant communities, symbolizing shared faith and a unifying foundation for global Christianity.

Pope Leo XIV described the creed as “the essential core of the Christian faith”, emphasizing that its development was organic, “gradually bringing to light and expressing more fully the essential heart of the faith.”

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Pilgrimage to Iznik and Ecumenical Prayer

Following the cathedral service, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Iznik, approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Istanbul, to mark the historical site of the First Council of Nicaea. There, he will lead prayers alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual head of the Orthodox Church, underscoring the ongoing commitment to Catholic-Orthodox dialogue and unity.

The visit also includes a symbolic joint declaration promoting Christian solidarity and a message of peace amid global conflicts, reflecting Pope Leo XIV’s broader mission in the region.

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Supporting Turkey’s Catholic Community

Turkey’s Catholic population numbers around 33,000 in a nation of 85 million, most of whom are Sunni Muslims. Many Catholics are migrants or foreigners. Pope Leo XIV acknowledged their small size but emphasized their spiritual significance:

“The logic of littleness is the church’s true strength,” he said. “The significant presence of migrants and refugees in this country presents the Church with the challenge of welcoming and serving some of the most vulnerable.”

The pontiff’s words resonated with both local and international attendees. Debora Martina Da Silva, a political science student from Guinea-Bissau, expressed her joy, saying, “With all my heart I am so happy.” Mateusz Zajdecki, 21, from Poland, recognized the broader ecumenical significance: “It is important for Turkey to be united at one table, eucharistic table, and to pray together to one Father who is in heaven.”

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Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Peace

Pope Leo XIV’s visit also emphasizes the Vatican’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, as he continues his itinerary to meet leaders and communities across Turkey and Lebanon. On Thursday, he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, urging the nation to foster stability and constructive dialogue amid ongoing global conflicts.

By combining historic remembrance with calls for unity and support for vulnerable communities, Pope Leo XIV’s Turkey visit highlights the Church’s mission to bridge divides and inspire hope in the 21st century.