Pope Leo XIV Joins Eastern and Western Leaders in Historic Prayer for Christian Unity in Turkey

Pope Leo XIV Joins Eastern and Western Leaders in Historic Prayer for Christian Unity in Turkey

Pope Leo XIV gathered with Eastern and Western patriarchs and priests on Friday to commemorate a significant anniversary in Christian history. This historic meeting took place at the site in Turkey where, in A.D. 325, bishops convened to pray for the unity of Christians.

At Lake Iznik, leaders including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I united to recognize the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicaean Creed—a statement of faith recited by millions of Christians around the globe today.

Over the ruins of the ancient site, the leaders recited the creed, which Pope Leo described as “of fundamental importance in the journey that Christians are making toward full communion.” He emphasized the need for Christians to overcome existing divisions, nurturing a deep desire for unity for which Jesus Christ prayed and ultimately sacrificed his life.

This prayer service served as the highlight of Pope Leo’s inaugural visit to Turkey, marking a significant moment in his papacy.

The original gathering at Nicaea occurred when the Eastern and Western churches were still united. The Great Schism of 1054, which primarily stemmed from disagreements over the primacy of the pope, led to a lasting divide. Nevertheless, the Nicaean Creed remains a pivotal point of agreement among Catholic, Orthodox, and most historic Protestant denominations, solidifying its status as one of the most widely accepted creeds within Christendom.

By celebrating its origins alongside the leaders of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, this event marked a momentous step in the centuries-long quest to unite all Christians.

Bartholomew expressed the significance of the Nicaean Creed, stating, “It acts like a seed for the whole of our Christian existence. It is not merely a symbol of minimal belief; it represents the fullness of faith.”

During the prayer service, Bartholomew emphasized that the gathering was not solely about remembering the past. Instead, he highlighted the present and future responsibilities of Christian leaders. “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 to move forward,” he articulated.

Roman Emperor Constantine convened this historic assembly of bishops from across the Roman Empire after stabilizing control following a tumultuous period of civil wars and political intrigue. Although Constantine himself would not formally convert to Christianity until his death in 337, by 325 he had begun extending tolerance and favor toward the Christian faith, which had emerged following the last major wave of Roman persecution.

The version of the creed that emerged from this council begins with the words: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty …” This statement of faith remains central to Christian belief today.

The service itself, which featured alternating Catholic and Orthodox hymns, was held at the archaeological site identified as the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos. This site, recently revealed by receding waters in the lake, is believed to cover the foundations of an earlier church that hosted the council 1,700 years ago.

Participants in the commemorative service included an array of religious leaders—priests, patriarchs, and bishops from Orthodox Greek, Syrian, Coptic, Malankarese, Armenian, Protestant, and Anglican churches.

During his address, Pope Leo called upon all Christians to reject any misuse of religion to justify violence or warfare. He insisted that the paths ahead should focus on fraternal encounter, dialogue, and cooperation among different faith traditions.

In Turkey, a predominantly Sunni Muslim nation, Christians constitute a minority group. Ahead of the pivotal prayer in Iznik, approximately 20 members of a Turkish Islamic political party demonstrated briefly, claiming that the meeting threatened Turkey’s sovereignty and national identity. Under the watch of a heavy police presence, Mehmet Kaygusuz, a member of the New Welfare Party, read a statement condemning what he alleged were efforts to form a “Vatican-like Greek Orthodox state” within Turkey. That group dispersed peacefully shortly after.

Local resident Suleyman Bulut recognized the area’s deep historical and spiritual significance for Christians and expressed support for their commemorative visit. He stated, “Muslims should also visit places that belong to us worldwide, in Europe,” underlining the shared heritage of faith. However, shopkeeper Hasan Maral shared discomfort regarding the visit, asserting that the pope’s presence felt contrary to his beliefs.

Pope Leo began his first full day in Istanbul by urging Turkey’s small Catholic community to find strength in their limited numbers. According to Vatican statistics, Catholics number around 33,000 in a nation of 85 million, with the vast majority being Sunni Muslims. He received a warm welcome at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where congregants greeted him with lively chants of “Papa Leo” and “Viva il Papa,” meaning Long Live the Pope.

In his address to the gathered Catholic community, Leo explained, “The logic of littleness is the church’s true strength.” He identified the significant presence of migrants and refugees in Turkey as an opportunity for the church to welcome and serve some of the most vulnerable populations in society.

Latter that day, Leo visited the Little Sisters of the Poor, who run a nursing home in Istanbul. Sister Margret spoke of his approachable demeanor, stating, “He was so simple. We just felt he was at home. He made everyone feel appreciated with a blessing and a kind word. It was truly enormous.”

Looking ahead, Leo plans to continue his ecumenical outreach in Turkey, having scheduled meetings with Bartholomew and other Christian leaders. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, before celebrating Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena.

Pope Leo XIV is set to travel to Lebanon on Sunday for the second and final segment of his trip, further embodying his commitment to fostering Christian unity across diverse denominational lines.