12.05.2025 13:31
The importance that Pope Francesco, the spiritual leader of Catholics who passed away last month, placed on his visit to Nicaea was revealed in his will. Pope Francesco stated, "If I die, my successor must definitely go to Nicaea." The newly elected Pope Leo XIII is expected to visit Turkey within the year. When asked about his plans to visit Nicaea, the Pope did not provide a specific date but said, "We are working on it, we will do it."
At the end of May, coinciding with the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, which is one of the first examples of efforts to achieve reconciliation in the divided Christian world, it was expected that Pope Francesco would visit Turkey and hold a joint service with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
This event, which is significant for the unity of the churches and is expected to address a series of divisive issues, including the date of Easter, was also planned to include local church representatives affiliated with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Roman Catholic Church.
However, after Pope Francesco fell ill in mid-February and passed away on April 21, it remains unclear whether his successor, Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, will carry out this trip.
The Vatican shared the new Pope's schedule until May 25, and it was noted that there was no visit to Turkey planned by that date.
HE WILL BE INVITED TO TURKEY AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY
According to information obtained by ANKA News Agency from sources close to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarch Bartholomew, who will attend the official inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV on May 18, is expected to hold a separate meeting with him and invite the Pope to Turkey for the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
If the Pope accepts this invitation, a date will be agreed upon. It is thought that this could take place next summer or autumn, while the end of May is still not ruled out.
However, for this visit to take place, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will need to send an official invitation letter to the Pope. Thus, the Pope's visit will occur under the status of a "state visit."
Therefore, it is planned that the Pope will first meet with President Erdoğan in Ankara and then proceed to Nicaea.
It is also noted that Turkey could be the Pope's first foreign travel route.
"WE WILL MAKE THE VISIT TO NICAEA"
Pope Leo XIV met with journalists today at the Vatican. In response to a question posed by a Greek journalist, the Pope did not provide a date regarding his plan to visit Nicaea, but stated, 'We are working on it, we will do it.'
If this visit takes place, Pope Leo XIV will become the fifth Pope to visit Turkey. In addition to Pope Francesco, who visited Turkey in 2014, Pope Paul VI (1967), Pope John Paul II (1979), and Pope Benedict XVI (2006) have also made visits.
HE BEQUEATHED TO HIS SUCCESSOR
On the other hand, it was noted that Pope Francesco had planned a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew in Nicaea during his visit to the Holy Lands ten years ago. This idea, proposed by some advisors of the Patriarchate, was welcomed by both religious leaders.
The importance Pope Francesco placed on this visit was revealed by a source close to the Patriarchate who spoke to ANKA. According to this source, the Pope stated, "I do not know if I will be alive at that time, but if I die, I bequeath to my successor to ensure that this visit takes place."
It is also reported that after being hospitalized in mid-February, Pope Francesco insisted that Patriarch Bartholomew postpone the date of this event planned for the end of May, hoping to recover and make this visit.
HE MENTIONED HIS PLAN TO GO TO NICAEA IN THREE SEPARATE EVENTS
Although it was never officially announced by the Vatican, the late Pope Francesco had expressed his desire to visit Nicaea during three separate events last year. Both the Vatican and the Patriarchate had advanced preparations for this.
During a meeting in June, when he received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Vatican, Pope Francesco expressed his heartfelt desire to make the visit to Nicaea.
During another meeting in November, the Pope again mentioned that he was considering a trip to Turkey, stating, "In 2025, we will have the opportunity to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the Council of Nicaea," emphasizing that this council was a turning point in the journey of the Church and all humanity.
In December, during a meeting with a delegation from the World Methodist Council, Pope Francesco stated that this anniversary event was an invitation for all Churches and all religious communities to move towards a visible unity.
Pope Francesco, who places great importance on the unity of the churches and emphasizes it on every occasion, also called on the churches to "walk together" during this December event, saying, "Because we are all one."
WHY IS NICAEA IMPORTANT FOR THE CHRISTIAN WORLD?
The Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical church assembly of Christianity, convened in May 325. The creed accepted here formed the basis of Christianity.
Emeritus Professor Vincenzo Ruggieri, who has frequently visited Turkey since 1981 and has conducted many scientific research and studies in the field of Byzantine history and archaeology, evaluated the importance of the First Council of Nicaea for ANKA News Agency.
He stated that one of the main reasons for convening the Council, organized at the invitation of Roman Emperor Constantine I with the participation of many bishops from different churches, was that the churches were celebrating Easter on different dates.
Ruggieri noted that Emperor Constantine was completely opposed to this difference, and another main issue was the theological debates among the Alexandrian clergy regarding the origin of Jesus Christ and his relationship with "God the Father."
Ruggieri pointed out that this major issue was resolved and emphasized that Nicaea is also the place where the Catholic faith was defined.
Although it is claimed that 318 bishops attended the council, Ruggieri stated that this number was between 260-265, most of whom were representatives of Eastern churches, with little participation from the West.
It was also decided at the council that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox each year.
Vincenzo Ruggieri expressed that when Pope Leo XIV begins his official visit programs, he can certainly go to Turkey according to his own decisions and continue the path opened by Francesco.
Pope Leo XIV stated in his first statements after his election that he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Francesco, thanking him.