Pope Leo XIV has recently returned from his Apostolic Visit to Türkiye and Lebanon – his first visit abroad since being elected Pope in May this year. The principal purpose for this trip was to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, and the Creed that was agreed at this Council. The visit was originally planned by Pope Francis. at the invitation from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew. The two Christian leaders had developed a close friendship. In embarking on this trip, Pope Leo is effectively fulfilling this legacy.
This visit also became an opportunity to work and build on ecumenical relations, a commitment to which Pope Leo has very strongly embraced. Heads of churches and representatives of Christian World Communions were also present at the commemoration of the anniversary.
At the ecumenical service at İznik, near the archaeological excavations of the ancient basilica of Saint Neophytos, Pope Leo linked the occasion to words he shared in his first homily as Pope, the day after his election. One of the key discussions at the Council of Nicaea was around the divinity of Jesus. The Holy Father had said that reducing Christ to merely a great human, such as a charismatic leader, leads to sadness and confusion. It is precisely because God became man that we are able to participate in His immortal life. At the service, he said, “What was at stake at Nicaea, and is at stake today, is our faith in the God who, in Jesus Christ, became like us to make us ‘partakers of the divine nature.”
In unitate fidei
To highlight the significance of this anniversary, Pope Leo released an Apostolic Letter before embarking on his journey: In unitate fidei (In the unity of faith). The letter tells us that the Creed “gives us hope”, that “what unites us is greater than what divides us”, and that the Creed can “be a reference point in our journey towards unity and reconciliation”.
CTE President Cardinal Vincent Nichols welcomed the Apostolic Letter, highlighting the need to “walk together” on our ecumenical journey, and that “the ears of the people are holier than the hearts of the priests”. A footnote stated that St John Henry Newman (recently declared a Doctor of the Church) “came to the conclusion that the Nicene Creed has been preserved above all by the sensus fidei of the people of God.” Cardinal Nichols said that “Our attentiveness, therefore, should never be limited to fellow ministers and clerics, or to theologians and professors. As has been notably commented before, the gift of our unity will come when we are on our knees.”
Pope Leo’s first overseas Apostolic Visit was to a diverse and conflicted region. There were striking images of everyone reciting the Creed together. This great show of unity highlights the common ground on which we can build. A journalist friend of mine, who was present at the service, told me she felt like she was witnessing history. Whilst it is too soon to say what impact this visit will have, the witness given on this occasion cannot be underestimated. Certainly, seeds have been planted; we pray that they will grow.
Closer to home, as we journey through Advent and towards the great celebration of the birth of Christ, we can see how this witness can help us to remain encouraged in our own ecumenical work. Many of us will be involved in shared acts of unity during this season, whether it’s through carol services, acts of prayer or festive social occasions. In doing so, we can recall the coming together of the various global leaders gathered together to share our common faith. Ahead of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January, 2026), let us be inspired to make a fresh effort to pray even more fervently for the unity which Christ desires.
Main photo via Ecumenical Patriarchate. Photo credit N. Papachristou.