Pope Leo XIV is set to make his first Apostolic Journey abroad to Türkiye from November 27 to 30, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea with a pilgrimage to the city of İznik. Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a close collaborator of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, welcomed the announcement and reflected on the importance of the historic visit.
The upcoming visit represents a continuation of the longstanding ecumenical exchange between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Traditionally, the Patriarchate sends a delegation to Rome for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29, while the Pope reciprocates by visiting Istanbul for the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30. This year, Pope Leo himself will personally participate in the visit, strengthening ties between the two Churches.
Speaking to Vatican News, Metropolitan Emmanuel emphasized the significance of the pilgrimage: “This is a visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, for a joint celebration of the 17th centenary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. We approach this visit with great joy.”
He added that while previous papal visits to Türkiye primarily included Ankara and Istanbul, the milestone anniversary of the Council of Nicaea provides a meaningful occasion to include İznik. “The Council of Nicaea was pivotal for our faith and dogma, especially for the Creed, which is shared by all Christians. This celebration will also include other Christian leaders, highlighting its universal significance,” Metropolitan Emmanuel noted.
On the current state of relations between the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches, he said, “Relations between the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople are excellent. Theological dialogue continues, not only with the Ecumenical Patriarchate but with all autocephalous Orthodox Churches. While there are still points to clarify, significant progress has been made since the lifting of the mutual excommunications of 1054. This year marks the 60th anniversary of that historic step.”
Metropolitan Emmanuel highlighted the personal relationships between recent Popes and Patriarch Bartholomew as key to advancing dialogue. “Contacts, reciprocal visits, and exchanges between John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and the Patriarch have shown that personal knowledge and friendship are essential. The dialogue is not only theoretical it is practical and deeply relational.”
Reflecting on the historic impact of the 1964 Jerusalem meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, Metropolitan Emmanuel said, “That ‘spirit of Jerusalem’ opened a new chapter in our relations. Now, with the upcoming visit to Nicaea, we hope the ‘spirit of Nicaea’ will continue this journey toward mutual understanding and communion. We are entering a period of deeper acceptance and knowledge of each other, helping us fulfill Christ’s will: that all may be one.”
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Türkiye is expected to be a landmark moment in Catholic-Orthodox relations, combining historic commemoration with renewed commitment to ecumenical unity.