Ottoman Empire

Saint Andrew, the first called, apostle and guide, is celebrated on November 30th. A Galilean fisherman who became a disciple of Jesus, he embodies listening, sharing, and bearing witness. His life connects East and West, uniting diverse Christian traditions. Martyred in Patras, his X-shaped cross is a symbol of humility and openness. His mission invites each of us to become a guide of light, leading others toward faith through listening, sharing, and humility. He is remembered in Patras, Constantinople, Amalfi, Scotland, and Ukraine. Liturgy, prayer, and works of art celebrate his inspiring figure.

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.

After fourteen years of civil war, the Christian community in Syria has lost more than 75,130 of its members, facing violence, exclusion, and exile. Between fragile hopes and growing threats, this report details the slow disappearance of a millennia-old presence in the land of Christianity's origin.

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.

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.

Bethlehem is preparing for the complete restoration of the Grotto of the Nativity in 2026, a holy site steeped in history and faith. This project, the result of international and interfaith cooperation, aims to preserve this universal symbol while revitalizing religious celebrations and tourism, which are bearers of hope and peace.