First Council of Nicaea

On November 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV made a historic visit to Istanbul, promoting interreligious dialogue and Christian unity in the face of current challenges, in a sensitive diplomatic context with Turkey.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in Iznik by reciting the Creed in its original version, without the "Filioque," a powerful symbolic gesture for Christian unity despite the persistent divisions between Catholics and Orthodox.

A historic visit by Pope Leo XIV to Turkey (November 2025) to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The visit focused on the difficult yet enduring lives of Christians, a minority in a Muslim-majority country, caught between a millennia-old heritage, past violence, limited recognition, and a quiet renewal. It conveyed a message of unity and hope for a faithful community despite the trials they face.

Pope Leo XIV's historic journey to Turkey and Lebanon: a symbolic voyage blending homage, interreligious dialogue, ecumenism, and compassion in the face of contemporary challenges. A powerful gesture for peace, reconciliation, and hope at the heart of civilizations.

Pope Leo XIV's first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon, from November 27 to December 2, 2025, emphasizes a message of peace, Christian unity, and interreligious dialogue. This ecumenical pilgrimage, marked by the commemoration of the Council of Nicaea in Iznik, aims to strengthen peaceful coexistence in a historically complex region, while also engaging with local populations, particularly young people.

Apostolic Letter "In unitate Fidei" of Pope Leo XIV on the commemoration of the Council of Nicaea, in preparation for his ecumenical trip to Turkey and Lebanon (27 Nov. - 3 Dec.).

On the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV launched an ambitious ecumenical project, inviting Christians to reconnect with the Nicene Creed as a common foundation of faith. His trip to Turkey, particularly to İznik, symbolized this call for spiritual unity and reconciliation between Churches, beyond historical divisions, to build together a future of peace and Christian fraternity.

Discover how the Catholic Church distinguishes between veneration and idolatry in the use of sacred images. From the history of the Second Council of Nicaea to modern rules, explore the proper place of statues and icons in our churches, their spiritual role, and why there should not be multiple identical images of the same saint in the same place of worship. Insights into theology and popular piety in service of the faith.