In a scholarly gathering that resonated with ancient echoes, the Pontifical Urban University in Rome hosted an international conference marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. At the heart of the event was the presentation of the International Theological Commission’s newly released document, titled “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.”

Opening the conference, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández—Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the ITC—highlighted the enduring theological and ecclesial legacy of Nicaea. He emphasized that the original council, convened in 325 AD, was ecumenical in the truest sense: a global gathering of bishops seeking unity in doctrine and belief.

“The selection of Nicaea was geographical,” he noted, “but symbolically, it still calls the Church to internal communion. True unity in essentials brings joy and strength.”

The conference, which began on May 20—the same date as the council’s original convocation—was not merely retrospective. It served as a dynamic dialogue between tradition and contemporary challenges facing the global Christian community. Among the distinguished participants were theologians and bishops from across the world, including Bishop Antônio Luiz Catelan Ferreira, Prof. Marianne Schlosser, and Fr. Gaby Alfred Hachem.

The document “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour” is the result of years of theological reflection and is crafted not just to commemorate Nicaea, but to rekindle the spirit of the Nicene Creed as a living, unifying testament of Christian faith.

Pope Francis’ insights were also recalled by Cardinal Fernández, who emphasized the Pope’s hope to journey to Nicaea—symbolically underscoring the council as a shared heritage among all Christians. “Even if not all Christians form the same institutional Church,” said the Cardinal, “we remain one community of Christ’s disciples.”

Msgr. Piero Coda, Secretary General of the ITC, noted the significance of revisiting Nicaea in today’s era of global turbulence. “This is a moment of grace,” he said, “an invitation to anchor our faith in a symbol that has weathered centuries of doctrinal storms.”

The conference also touched on the 30th anniversary of Ut unum sint, St. John Paul II’s encyclical on ecumenism, reinforcing the day’s theme of Christian unity.

Far from being a mere academic exercise, the new ITC document was described as “a timely and pastoral synthesis”—a resource to aid believers in deepening their understanding of Christ’s identity and mission, and to help the Church navigate the intellectual and spiritual upheavals of the modern age.

With topics ranging from Origen’s influence on Nicene Christology to the theological implications of Eusebius of Nicomedia’s letters, the discussions reaffirmed that Nicaea was not just a milestone in Church history—but a living compass for navigating faith in an uncertain world.

In a time when humanity faces not just crises, but “polycrises,” the Nicene Creed stands, as it did 1,700 years ago, as both anchor and beacon—a call to unity, clarity, and hope.