Istanbul, 27–30 November 2025 – The apostolic visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Turkey has concluded with deep spiritual and symbolic resonance. This visit marked the first stop of his first international apostolic journey, which also included a strong commitment to interreligious dialogue and to unity among Christians and people of other faiths.
The journey took place in the context of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a historic event that marked a fundamental chapter in the unity of the early Church and which Pope Leo XIV wished to highlight as a symbol of communion in diversity.
A bridge between cultures and religions
From the moment of his arrival in Ankara, the Pope emphasized that Turkey represents not only a geographical crossroads between East and West, but above all a bridge of dialogue among peoples, religions, and traditions. “We must not consider differences as walls, but as paths that lead us to build bridges of fraternity and peace,” he stated during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the civil authorities.
The logo chosen for the journey, inspired by the bridge over the Bosphorus Strait, was presented by the Holy Father as an evocative image: connecting cultures and hearts, promoting encounter, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among religions.
Interreligious dialogue: encounter, respect, and fraternity
A significant moment of the journey was the visit to the Diyanet, the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, and the meeting with representatives of the country’s main religious communities, including Muslim leaders and rabbis. With them, the Pope shared reflections on the need for open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that authentic interreligious dialogue does not mean confusion or relativism, but rather recognizing and appreciating differences without renouncing the truth of one’s own religious traditions, in a sincere search for understanding and respect.
Ecumenical journey and Christian fraternity
In the heart of İznik (ancient Nicaea), the Pope took part in an ecumenical celebration together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, reaffirming the commitment to the unity of the Church as a visible sign of hope for the world. The Joint Declaration signed with the Patriarch calls on everyone to reject the use of religion as a justification for violence and to commit to dialogue as a means of peaceful coexistence and constructive collaboration.
During the liturgical celebrations and community gatherings, the Pope recalled that the unity of Christians is not an abstract ideal, but a concrete journey of brotherhood that draws strength from the “dialogue of charity” and from reciprocity in relationships.
A visit lived as an experience of faith and communion
Through his words and the moments shared with the faithful, religious men and women, and representatives of various communities, Pope Leo XIV conveyed a clear message: Turkey, a land of deep Christian roots and intense religious pluralism, can be a privileged place to renew interreligious dialogue and to work together for the building of lasting peace.
As also witnessed by the participation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart present in Büyükada, this visit infused the local Church—and all those involved—with a strong sense of unity, hope, and a call to be artisans of peace, inviting every Christian community and every person of good will to become builders of bridges rather than walls.
Sr. Miriam Oyarzo, FMSC
