How political is Pope Leo XIV's trip to Turkey? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Papal Visit to Turkey: Pope Leo's first foreign trip, highlighting key issues and religious significance.
• Catholic Community in Turkey: A small minority, encouraged to focus on humanitarian aid rather than political influence.
• Council of Nica (325 AD): The first ecumenical council of Christianity, held in ancient Nica (modern-day Isnik), which formulated the Nicene Creed.
• Nicene Creed: A foundational declaration of Christian faith.
• Archaeological Discovery in Isnik: Ruins of a late 4th-century basilica believed to be the site of the Council of Nica, discovered by archaeologist Mustafa Şahin.
• Interfaith Dialogue: Pope Leo's planned visit to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul as a gesture of understanding between Christianity and Islam.
• Migrant and Refugee Care: A priority of Pope Leo's papacy, emphasized during his visit.
• Christian Unity: Pope Leo's prayer meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians.

Pope Leo's Visit to Turkey: A Detailed Summary

Day Two: Istanbul and Focus on the Catholic Community

Pope Leo commenced the second day of his trip to Turkey in Istanbul, engaging in meetings with bishops and other church officials. A significant part of his agenda included a meeting with Turkey's small Catholic community. During this encounter, Pope Leo urged them to refrain from seeking political influence, instead emphasizing the importance of focusing their efforts on assisting migrants within Turkey. This directive aligns with his broader papal agenda, which prioritizes the care for migrants and refugees. Following this, he visited a nursing home dedicated to caring for impoverished elderly individuals, underscoring his commitment to humanitarian causes.

Atmosphere and Significance of the Visit

NDTV Turkey correspondent Julia Han reported from Istanbul, describing the atmosphere at a prayer meeting held at a church as one of excitement. Journalists and congregation members watched proceedings on a large screen in the church courtyard, with cheers and applause erupting, particularly upon the Pope's arrival and departure. This event held considerable importance for Christians in Turkey, who constitute a "tiny minority" in a predominantly Muslim country. Estimates suggest that Christians number a few hundred thousand out of Turkey's 86 million population, with Catholics accounting for approximately 30,000, many of whom are foreigners and migrants, according to Vatican statistics.

Religious and Political Messaging

In his address to the local Catholic community, Pope Leo encouraged them to face the future with hope, despite their small numbers. Beyond this religious message, papal trips abroad are often viewed as indicators of the issues a pontiff intends to highlight during his papacy. The previous day's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara saw the Pope emphasize a message of peace and a plea to end wars. This emphasis is particularly relevant given the ongoing efforts to resolve Russia's war in Ukraine and the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Turkey as the First Foreign Destination: Historical and Spiritual Significance

The choice of Turkey as Pope Leo's first foreign trip was influenced by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had intended to visit that year but was unable to due to declining health. The primary reason for the visit was to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nica, Christianity's first ecumenical council, an event of profound historical and spiritual significance for millions of Christians globally.

Pilgrimage to Isnik: The Site of the First Council of Nica

Pope Leo was scheduled to travel to the Turkish town of Isnik, the ancient city of Nica, by helicopter. There, he was to hold a prayer service with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, symbolizing Christian unity. Prior to the Pope's arrival, a team visited Isnik and found the town well-prepared.

Isnik's Transformation and Historical Rediscovery:

The small town of Isnik, known for its Ottoman-style tiles and ceramics, has seen a surge in Christian-themed designs in anticipation of the papal visit. Local artisans, like Me, have created new designs, including depictions of "The Last Supper" and the "First Council of Nica." The latter is particularly significant as it marks the historical event that drew the Pope to the town.

In 325 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great convened hundreds of bishops in Nica, where they formulated the "Nicene Creed," a foundational declaration of Christian faith still relevant today. The First Council of Nica is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential meetings in Christian history.

Archaeological Evidence:

Until recently, the exact location of the First Council of Nica remained unknown. In 2014, archaeologist Mustafa Şahin discovered the ruins of an ancient Roman basilica. Şahin explained that he spotted the foundations of a large church in the lake from aerial photographs. Underwater excavations conducted for six to seven years revealed the structure, which was exposed due to receding water levels caused by global warming. Şahin and his team have dated the basilica to the late 4th century and believe it to be the site of the council. An open-air museum has been established on the lakeside promenade, allowing visitors to view the ruins.

Impact on Isnik:

Isnik, a quiet town with fewer than 50,000 residents and no remaining Christian community, hopes the Pope's visit will bring international attention. Local residents anticipate an increase in foreign tourists, which they believe will benefit local businesses and the sale of their products. The papal visit is seen as a potential catalyst for revitalizing the town's future by highlighting its Christian past.

Turkish Authorities' Preparations and Public Sentiment

Regarding the Pope's visit, Julia Han noted that Turkish people have "mixed feelings." While the Pope's religious significance for Muslims is not particularly high, many acknowledge the importance of the visit and some express pride in Turkey being chosen as his first foreign destination. However, the visit has not generated "excessive enthusiasm" among the general Turkish population and has caused minor inconveniences, such as road closures and heightened security measures in Istanbul's city center, leading to some delays for commuters.

Future Engagements: Interfaith Dialogue

The following day's attention was expected to focus on Muslim-Christian relations, with Pope Leo scheduled to visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and hold a silent prayer there. This act is widely interpreted as a gesture of interfaith dialogue.