What is Pope Leo XIV's schedule for today?
After visiting Anıtkabir, Pope Leo XIV met with President Erdoğan and traveled to Istanbul. Today, the Pope will visit the St. Esprit Cathedral and then fly by helicopter to İznik to attend the 1700th-anniversary ceremony of the Council of Nicaea.
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Pope Leo XIV, who arrived in Turkey from the Vatican, held a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after visiting Anıtkabir. The meeting lasted approximately half an hour. Following his meeting with Erdoğan, the Pope arrived in Istanbul, where he was met with a busy schedule.
HOSTED AT THE VATICAN REPRESENTATIVE RESIDENCE
Pope Leo XIV was hosted at the Vatican Representative Residence in Istanbul. The Pope will first visit the St. Esprit Cathedral in Taksim, where he will meet with clergy members. Afterward, he will travel to İznik by helicopter to attend the 1700th-anniversary events of the Council of Nicaea.
The St. Esprit Cathedral holds special significance for relations between Turkey and the Vatican. The cathedral was built in 1846 and has been restored many times throughout its history due to earthquakes. In the courtyard of the cathedral stands a statue of Pope Benedict XV, who established hospitals to treat Turkish soldiers. Additionally, the cathedral is home to the Notre Dame de Sion French High School and a large underground mausoleum.
POPE LEO XIV'S VISIT TO İZNİK
Pope Leo XIV will depart for İznik by helicopter in the afternoon. İznik is home to the Council of Nicaea, which holds an important place in the history of Christianity. The decisions made at this council, organized by Roman Emperor Constantine in 325, formed the cornerstones of the Christian faith. The Pope, who will attend the ceremony organized for the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, will emphasize the historical connections between the Orthodox and Catholic denominations during this event.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA AND THE POPE'S VISIT
The Council of Nicaea was a meeting where extremely important decisions were made regarding the relationship between God and Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. This council, which forms the cornerstones of the Orthodox denomination, holds great meaning for Pope Leo XIV, who aims to build a bridge between the Catholic and Orthodox denominations. The Pope had planned to come to Turkey for the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea before the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, but that visit could not take place.
POPE LEO XIV'S MEETING WITH THE GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH
Following his visit to İznik, Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul on Saturday. After the meeting, the two leaders will issue a joint declaration.