Pope Leo XIV to visit Türkiye for 1700th anniversary of First Council of Nicaea
Newly elected pontiff announces plans to honor historic Christian council with pilgrimage to Türkiye, emphasizes peace and responsible communication in Vatican address
VATICAN CITY (MNTV) — Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and head of the Vatican City State, announced plans to visit Türkiye to mark the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in Christian history.
Speaking during a large audience with nearly 4,000 international journalists at the Paul VI Audience Hall, the pontiff revealed that preparations are underway for the pilgrimage to Türkiye, where the historic council was convened in 325 CE.
Pope Leo was elected following the passing of Pope Francis earlier this year. The late Pope Francis had expressed a strong desire to make the pilgrimage to Nicaea in Türkiye but was unable to do so due to health issues.
Confirming the commitment to the visit, Pope Leo stated, “We are preparing for it,” when asked about the planned trip during the Vatican audience.
In his address to the media, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of peace and the role of communication in today’s world.
“Peace begins with each of us. It starts with how we look at others, how we listen to them and how we speak about them,” he said.
He called on journalists and communicators worldwide to reject hostile and divisive discourse and “say ‘no’ to the war of words and images.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by societies today, the pontiff stressed that the Church and media must confront these issues courageously and with integrity.
“The Church must accept the challenges posed by the times, and communication and journalism cannot be outside of time and history,” he said.
He also addressed the ethical use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for responsible guidance to ensure humanity benefits from these advances.
Urging for cleaner, more constructive communication, Pope Leo said, “Let us purify communication from prejudice, hatred, fanaticism, and violence.
We do not need loud, flashy communication, but communication ready to listen to the voices of the voiceless.”
Concluding his remarks, the Pope reminded journalists of their vital role in sharing stories of conflict, hope, and peace. “I ask you to choose to communicate peace with intention and courage,” he said.
The First Council of Nicaea, convened by Roman Emperor Constantine I in what is today Türkiye, was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church, bringing together bishops from across the Christian world to discuss foundational doctrines and shape the future of Christianity.
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