Pope Leo has announced that he hopes to visit Turkey later this year to mark a major milestone in Christian history.

According to Reuters, the pope expressed his plans to attend an ecumenical event commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, potentially making it his first trip abroad since his May election to the papacy.

The announcement came on July 17 during an audience at Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer retreat just outside Rome. Speaking to a group of Orthodox and Catholic pilgrims from the United States, Pope Leo shared his desire to be part of the anniversary event scheduled to take place in Turkey.

The pope addressed the pilgrims just before they were scheduled to travel on to Istanbul, continuing a religious journey that included the stop at the Vatican. The moment provided Pope Leo a platform to show his commitment to deepening dialogue between Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities.

“I hope to be able to meet you again, in a few months, to take part in the ecumenical commemoration of the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea,” Pope Leo told the group during the gathering.

Anniversary Honors Christianity’s Foundational Council

The First Council of Nicaea, convened in the year 325, was held in what is now the town of Iznik in northwestern Turkey. It was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church and addressed important issues such as the nature of Jesus Christ and his relationship to God, concluding with the formulation of the Nicene Creed.

Pope Leo’s desire to attend the commemorative events would mark a continuation of efforts by the Vatican to foster Christian unity. His trip, if confirmed, would also pay tribute to one of the most significant moments in Church history, where bishops from across the Roman Empire gathered to resolve religious disagreements.

The significance of the council is acknowledged by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and leaders from both traditions are expected to take part in the 2025 anniversary observances.

Plans Echo Francis’ Earlier Intentions

The idea of a Vatican delegation visiting Turkey for the Nicaea anniversary had previously been considered by Pope Francis. Before his death earlier this year, Pope Francis had planned to journey to Turkey and participate in the celebration alongside the Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, based in Istanbul.

Following Pope Francis’s passing, Pope Leo assumed leadership of the Catholic Church after his election on May 8. Since then, he has met with several church leaders from around the world, but has not yet embarked on any international trips.

In May, just days into his papacy, Pope Leo welcomed Patriarch Bartholomew to the Vatican. Afterward, the Orthodox leader spoke to Italian broadcaster TV2000, proposing a possible date of November 30 for Pope Leo's journey to Turkey.

Dialogue Continues With Turkish Officials

Earlier in July, Pope Leo mentioned his travel ambitions to Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan during a meeting. The discussion covered shared concerns and touched on the importance of interfaith collaboration and respect between cultures.

The visit, if it takes place, would not only resonate spiritually but also symbolically strengthen diplomatic and interreligious ties. It would represent the first time a Catholic pope has traveled abroad since the death of his predecessor and could signal the new pontiff’s approach to international outreach.

While the Vatican has not officially confirmed a date for the trip, the combination of events and discussions points toward growing optimism about the pope's attendance at the anniversary.

Pilgrims Bridge Global Christian Communities

The American group Pope Leo spoke with at Castel Gandolfo had made the multi-stop pilgrimage to deepen understanding between Orthodox and Catholic Christians. Their schedule included meetings with church leaders and visits to sacred sites in Rome and Turkey.

Pope Leo’s words to them not only reinforced the historical importance of the Council of Nicaea but also highlighted his commitment to ecumenical unity during his early months in office. The statement reflected an ongoing emphasis in the papacy on healing divisions within Christianity.

As preparations for the anniversary event progress, the focus from both Rome and Istanbul signals mutual interest in unity and tradition. Pope Leo’s potential presence in Turkey could become a defining moment in that shared journey.