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On the second day of his four-day visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV will join Orthodox patriarchs on Friday in a commemoration ceremony at the historic site in Iznik, Turkey, where the Nicaean Creed originated. The Nicaean Creed, a central Christian statement of belief adopted 1,700 years ago, will be central to the event. Pope Leo XIV began his visit on Thursday in Ankara, where he urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to embrace Turkey’s role as a source of “stability and rapprochement between peoples” in a world facing conflict. “This land is inextricably linked to the origins of Christianity, and today it beckons the children of Abraham and all humanity to a fraternity that recognizes and appreciates differences,” the Pope stated before traveling to Istanbul, where he will reside until Sunday.

Prior to the commemoration, Pope Leo XIV spent Friday morning with Catholic leaders. Additionally, Turkish police removed Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who seriously wounded Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1981, from the western city on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Agca, who was released from prison in 2010, had expressed a desire to meet the Pope in Iznik or Istanbul for a brief conversation.

Early Friday morning, an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide participated in a prayer service at Istanbul’s Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. To accommodate the pontiff’s entourage, police temporarily closed a major artery of Turkey’s largest city. Hundreds of pilgrims were packed inside the church, while dozens more waited with anticipation in the courtyard, hoping for a glimpse of the visiting Pope Leo XIV. Many of these pilgrims had risen before dawn to secure a position at the front of the crowd. “It’s a blessing for us; it’s so important that the Pope’s first visit is to our country,” said Ali Gunuru, a 35-year-old Turkish Catholic. Pope Leo XIV met with Turkey’s President Erdogan and leaders of the Orthodox Church, expressing his belief that the Pope would be able to assist refugees and migrants. He stated, “the logic of littleness is the Church’s true strength.” The Church in Turkey, a small but productive community, appealed for increased attention to the plight of migrants and refugees, a population nearing three million, primarily Syrians. Pope Leo XIV acknowledged Turkey’s efforts in hosting these displaced individuals, a gesture closely observed by Pope Francis, who had recently criticized the “extremely disrespectful” treatment of refugees by US President Donald Trump. Despite limited attention within Turkey’s Muslim-majority nation, the Pope’s visit did have an impact on the country’s notoriously congested traffic. He concluded his visit with a flight by helicopter to Iznik, where he was invited by Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.

Pope Leo XIV will join Orthodox patriarchs on Friday in a commemoration ceremony at the site of the origin of the Nicaean Creed, a central Christian statement of belief adopted 1,700 years ago. The event will mark a significant moment for the world’s Orthodox Christians. Simultaneously, Europe is debating the future of Russia’s frozen assets, and Ukraine launched an overnight attack on Russia’s Saratov oil refinery, according to military reports. This occurred as Hong Kong police arrested eight people, and the death toll from a devastating fire rose to 128. Pope Leo XIV’s four-day visit began on Thursday in Ankara, where he urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to embrace Turkey’s role as a source of “stability and rapprochement between peoples” amid ongoing global conflict. “This land is inextricably linked to the origins of Christianity, and today it beckons the children of Abraham and all humanity to a fraternity that recognises and appreciates differences,” he stated before traveling to Istanbul, where he will remain until Sunday when he will then travel to Lebanon.

Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who seriously wounded Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1981, arrived in Turkey from the west on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Following his release from prison in 2010, Agca stated his desire to meet with the pope, expressing a hope for a brief conversation – “two or three minutes” – in either Iznik or Istanbul. Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II participated in an early morning prayer service at Istanbul’s Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Police implemented traffic controls along a major artery of Turkey’s largest city to facilitate the passage of the pontiff’s entourage. Hundreds of pilgrims crowded into the cathedral, while dozens more waited with anticipation in the courtyard outside, many of whom had risen before dawn to secure a place at the front. “It’s a blessing for us; it’s so important that the pope’s first visit is to our country,” said Ali Gunuru, a 35-year-old Turkish Catholic. “The world needs peace, and we have serious problems, particularly in our region and our country – with foreigners and refugees… I pray for them, and I believe the pope will have the power to help them and that he will do everything.”

Moved by his reception at the church, Leo was observed smiling and appearing considerably more at ease than he had on Thursday, encouraging his flock not to be discouraged. He stated, “the logic of littleness is the Church’s true strength,” during his address, urging them to give “special attention” to assisting the nearly three million migrants and refugees residing in Turkey, predominantly Syrians. The Holy See has also acknowledged Turkey’s efforts in hosting these vulnerable populations, a situation closely monitored by both the late Pope Francis and by Leo, who recently criticized the government of US President Donald Trump’s “extremely disrespectful” treatment of them. Despite the visit drawing limited attention in this Muslim-majority nation of 86 million, where Turkey’s Christian community numbers approximately 100,000, the impact of his presence on Istanbul’s notoriously congested traffic was noted. “It’s an important visit for Istanbul, but we are the ones suffering,” stated a 55-year-old woman named Fatmah to AFP, without disclosing her surname. Pope Leo XIV will subsequently be transported by helicopter to Iznik, where he has been invited by Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople – the leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians – to participate in an ecumenical prayer service. This service will take place near the ruins of a fourth-century basilica, constructed on the site of the First Council.

“Pope Leo XIV’s visit is particularly significant,” Patriarch Bartholomew told AFP in an interview. “It reminds our faithful that we are more powerful and more credible when we are united in our witness and response to the challenges of the contemporary world.” Pope Leo XIV is the fifth pontiff to visit Turkey, following in the footsteps of Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, Benedict XVI in 2006, and Francis in 2014. He will join Patriarch Bartholomew on Friday to commemorate 1,700 years since the First Council of Nicaea, a pivotal gathering of bishops that produced a foundational statement of faith still central to Christianity. The event will take place on the second day of the pontiff’s four-day visit, beginning Thursday in Ankara, where he encouraged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to recognize Turkey’s role. Meanwhile, Turkish police removed Mehmet Ali Agca, the individual responsible for seriously wounding Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1981, from the western city on Thursday, as reported by Turkish media. Agca, released from prison in 2010, stated his desire to briefly meet with Pope Leo XIV, expressing a hope for a “two or three minute” conversation in Iznik or Istanbul. Earlier on Friday, the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics participated in a prayer service at Istanbul’s Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Police blocked a major artery of Istanbul to facilitate the passage of Pope Leo XIV’s entourage while hundreds of pilgrims waited within the church and dozens more excitedly queued in the courtyard outside, hoping for a glimpse of the pontiff. Many had risen before dawn to secure a position at the front of the line. “This is a blessing for us; it’s so important that the Pope’s first visit is to our country,” beamed 35-year-old Turkish Catholic Ali Gunuru. “The world needs peace, and we have serious problems, especially in our region and within Turkey – with the presence of foreigners and refugees. I pray for them, and I believe the Pope will have the power to help them and will do everything he can.” The Church in Turkey, though small, is a productive one, and Gunuru urged his community to give “special attention” to assisting the nearly three million migrants and refugees, primarily Syrians, currently residing in Turkey. Pope Leo XIV will join Patriarch Bartholomew on Friday to commemorate 1,700 years since a significant early Church gathering. This event marks the second day of the Pope’s four-day visit, which began on Thursday in Ankara, where he encouraged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to embrace Turkey’s role as a source of “stability and rapprochement between peoples.” Throughout the day, Pope Leo XIV appeared more relaxed, encouraging his flock not to be discouraged, stating, “The logic of littleness is the Church’s true strength.”

“The Church in Turkey is a small community, yet fruitful,” he stated in his address, urging particular attention to assisting the nearly three million migrants and refugees currently residing in the country, the vast majority of whom are Syrian. The Holy See also acknowledged Turkey’s efforts in hosting these individuals, whose situation was closely monitored by both the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, who recently criticized the handling of the situation, describing it as “extremely disrespectful.” “It’s an important visit for Istanbul, but we are the ones suffering,” a 55-year-old woman named Fatmah told AFP, declining to provide her surname. “Of course it’s normal to take security measures, but no one thinks about the workers.” This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will travel by helicopter to Iznik, where he has been invited by Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, to participate in an ecumenical prayer service. The service will take place by the ruins of a fourth-century basilica, built on the site of the First Council. “When the world is troubled and divided by conflict and antagonism, our meeting with Pope Leo XIV is especially significant,” Patriarch Bartholomew told AFP in an interview. “It reminds our faithful that we are more powerful and more credible when we are united in our witness and response to the challenges of the contemporary world.” Pope Leo XIV represents the fifth pontiff to visit Turkey, following in the footsteps of Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, Benedict XVI in 2006, and Francis in 2014.

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