Pope Leo XIV received an enthusiastic welcome from Turkey’s Catholic community as he began the key day of his first papal visit, aimed at supporting Christians and promoting church unity.
Shouts of “Papa Leo” and “Viva il Papa” echoed inside Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where the pope led prayers with Catholic clergy and nuns, inspiring the small yet devoted community.
The visit commemorates the 1,700th anniversary of the AD 325 Council of Nicaea, where bishops established the Nicaean Creed, still recited by millions of Christians, marking a historic moment for Christian unity.
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Leo will preside over the celebration in Iznik, alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, emphasizing the centuries-long efforts to bridge divides between Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Ahead of the event, around 20 members of a small Turkish Islamic party staged a brief protest, claiming threats to national sovereignty, though authorities maintained order and the demonstration dispersed peacefully.
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During his address, Leo praised Turkey’s Catholic Church for supporting migrants and refugees, highlighting that its small size is its strength and underlining the importance of service to vulnerable communities.