Pope Leo, on his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church, condemned the use of religion to justify violence and urged Christian leaders to overcome centuries of division.
Speaking Friday in Iznik, Turkey—once Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was established 1,700 years ago—Leo called it a “scandal” that the world’s 2.6 billion Christians remain divided. “Humanity, afflicted by violence and conflict, is crying out for reconciliation,” he said, stressing that faith must never be used to legitimize war, fundamentalism, or fanaticism.
The ceremony, attended by clerics from Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and Israel, featured prayers in English, Greek, and Arabic and candle-lighting near the submerged ruins of a fourth-century basilica. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of 260 million Orthodox Christians, joined the event, urging churches to “move forward” together. The Russian Orthodox Church, however, stayed away, underscoring the divisions Leo lamented.
A Pope Under Global Scrutiny
Leo, 70, was little known internationally before his election in May. His visit to Turkey is being closely watched as he delivers his first speeches abroad and meets communities outside Catholic Italy. On Thursday, he met President Tayyip Erdogan and expressed concern over the world’s rising conflicts.
Turkey, with only 33,000 Catholics among its 85 million people, was once home to apostles Philip, Paul, and John. At Istanbul’s Holy Spirit Cathedral, Leo urged local Catholics to focus on helping migrants rather than seeking political influence. Turkey hosts nearly 4 million foreigners, including 2.4 million Syrians. Care for migrants has been a hallmark of his papacy, often putting him at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance.
Message of Peace and Unity
Leo told Christian leaders that overcoming divisions would send “a message of peace and universal fraternity that transcends the boundaries of our communities and nations.” Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the lakeside site, with one resident saying the pope’s visit underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence across faiths.
Next Stops: Istanbul and Lebanon
Leo’s itinerary includes a visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday—his first to a Muslim place of worship as pontiff—and a Mass at the Volkswagen Arena. On Sunday, he travels to Lebanon, where peace will be a central theme amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanon, home to the largest Christian population in the Middle East and over 1 million refugees, is struggling with economic crisis and fears of intensified Israeli strikes. Leaders hope the papal visit will draw global attention to the country’s plight.
