Pope Leo XIV Urges Unity Among Christians at Historic Turkey Event

Pope Leo XIV condemned violence in the name of religion during a landmark event in Turkey on March 15, 2024. This significant occasion brought together Christian leaders from across the Middle East, marking the first overseas trip for the pope since his election in May 2023. The gathering was held in Iznik, a town historically known as Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was established 1,700 years ago.

At the ceremony, Pope Leo called it a scandal that the world’s approximately 2.6 billion Christians remain divided. He stated, “Today, the whole of humanity, afflicted by violence and conflict, is crying out for reconciliation.” The pontiff emphasized the necessity of rejecting the use of religion to justify war, violence, or any form of extremism. Instead, he advocated for “fraternal encounter, dialogue, and cooperation.”

Call for Reconciliation and Unity

The ceremony featured prayers in English, Greek, and Arabic, alongside the lighting of candles near the submerged ruins of a fourth-century basilica. This event was the focal point of Pope Leo’s four-day visit to predominantly Muslim Turkey. The pope, relatively unknown on the global stage prior to his papacy, is under close scrutiny as he engages with diverse communities beyond Italy.

Pope Leo addressed the historical divisions within Christianity, notably stemming from the East-West Schism of 1054 and later events such as the Protestant Reformation. He expressed hope that overcoming these differences could convey a “message of peace and universal fraternity that transcends the boundaries of our communities and nations.”

Accompanying the pope at the ceremony was Bartholomew of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of the world’s 260 million Orthodox Christians. In his welcoming remarks, Bartholomew urged Christian leaders not only to acknowledge the past but also to “move forward” in unity. Notably absent from the celebration was the Russian Orthodox Church, which has been aligned with President Vladimir Putin and severed ties with Bartholomew in 2018 over the recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Meetings and Future Engagements

During his visit, Pope Leo met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and highlighted the unusual number of violent conflicts affecting the world today. Vatican statistics indicate that Turkey is home to around 33,000 Catholics within a population of 85 million. Historically, the region has significant Christian roots, being the home of early saints like the apostles Philip, Paul, and John.

On the morning of March 15, the pope also interacted with local Catholics at Istanbul’s Holy Spirit Cathedral. He advised them to focus on assisting migrants rather than pursuing political influence. Turkey currently hosts nearly 4 million foreigners, including around 2.4 million Syrians and many others from Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq.

Looking ahead, Pope Leo plans to visit Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on March 16, marking his first visit to a Muslim place of worship as pontiff. He will also celebrate a Catholic Mass at the city’s Volkswagen Arena. His journey will continue with a visit to Lebanon starting on March 17.

The pope’s trip underscores his commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation among Christians and other faiths, as he navigates the complexities of religious divisions in a tumultuous global landscape.