Pope and Orthodox leader to mark early Christian milestone

Pope Leo XIV is set to meet with the head of the global Orthodox Christian community on Friday to mark the 1,700th anniversary of one of the earliest and most significant Church councils, during the second day of his trip to Turkey.

The American pontiff began his four-day journey on Thursday in Ankara, where he encouraged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to recognize Turkey's role as a stabilizing force and a bridge between peoples in a world facing ongoing conflicts.

"This land is deeply connected to the beginnings of Christianity, and today it invites the children of Abraham and all of humanity to a fellowship that honors and values differences," Pope Leo XIV said before traveling to Istanbul, where he will remain until Sunday prior to heading to Lebanon.

On Friday morning, the 70-year-old pope will meet with Catholic leaders and then travel to Iznik to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, where bishops drafted a foundational declaration of faith that continues to influence Christianity today.

Turkish authorities removed Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot and seriously injured Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1981, from the western city on Thursday, according to local reports. Agca, released from prison in 2010, expressed a desire to meet Pope Leo XIV, saying he hoped for a brief conversation either in Iznik or Istanbul.

The leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics participated in a prayer service early Friday at Istanbul's Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, with police closing a major city artery to ensure the pope's procession could pass safely.

Hundreds of worshippers filled the church, while dozens more waited outside, hoping for a glimpse of the pope, many arriving before dawn to secure a front-row spot.

"It is a great blessing for us; it is very meaningful that the popes first visit is to our country," said Ali Gunuru, a 35-year-old Turkish Catholic. "The world needs peace. We face serious challenges, especially here with foreigners and refugees. I pray for them and trust the pope can help and take action."

Visibly moved by the warm reception, Pope Leo XIV appeared relaxed and cheerful, urging his followers not to be disheartened and emphasizing that "the logic of humility is the Church's true strength."

"The Catholic community in Turkey is small, yet fruitful," he stated, encouraging support for the nearly three million migrants and refugees in Turkey, most of whom are Syrians. "The significant presence of migrants and refugees in this country challenges the Church to welcome and serve some of the most vulnerable."

The Holy See recognized Turkey's efforts in hosting migrants, while Pope Leo previously criticized the treatment of refugees by the United States under President Donald Trump.

Although the visit has attracted limited attention in a Muslim-majority country of 86 million, whose Christian population is around 100,000, Istanbul's notoriously congested traffic has been noticeably affected.

"The visit is important for Istanbul, but we are the ones suffering," said Fatmah, a 55-year-old resident. "Security measures are understandable, but little thought is given to workers."

In the early afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will take a helicopter to Iznik, where Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the Orthodox Church leader, has invited him to join an ecumenical prayer service.

The prayer will be held near the ruins of a fourth-century basilica, the site of the original council. "In times of global division and conflict, our gathering with Pope Leo XIV carries profound meaning," Patriarch Bartholomew said. "It shows that we are stronger and more credible when united in faith and action."

Pope Leo XIV is the fifth pontiff to visit Turkey, following Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, Benedict XVI in 2006, and Francis in 2014.

<h2>Analysis: A Symbolic Visit with Diplomatic and Ecumenical Weight</h2> <p>This visit underscores the Vatican’s effort to link historical Christian heritage with present-day geopolitical and humanitarian issues. By marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV places theological continuity at the center of a trip that is also diplomatic in nature.</p> <p>Meetings with Turkish leadership and Orthodox authorities highlight Turkey’s role as both a regional mediator and a custodian of early Christian history. The encounter with Patriarch Bartholomew I reinforces a long-standing agenda of Catholic–Orthodox dialogue, framed against current global divisions.</p> <p>The pope’s public emphasis on migrants and refugees aligns with previous Vatican positions and contrasts with policies criticized by the Holy See elsewhere. Acknowledging Turkey’s hosting efforts situates the Church’s message within concrete policy realities rather than symbolic gestures alone.</p> <p>While domestic attention in Turkey remains limited, the security measures and logistical impact reflect the significance attributed to the visit by state authorities. Overall, the trip combines commemoration, diplomacy, and advocacy without departing from established Vatican priorities.</p>

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• Pope, Orthodox leader to celebrate early Christian milestone