A Pope's Call for Peace in Turkey

Pope Leo XIV made a powerful statement for unity and peace during his first international visit. He chose a special place for this message: the ruins of an old church by Lake Iznik in Turkey. This is where important Christian leaders met long ago to settle disagreements and create a shared belief that is still used today. The Pope stood with Patriarch Bartholomew, a key figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Together, they prayed silently at this historic spot. Pope Leo's speech emphasized the importance of using religion to bring people together, not to create divisions or justify violence. This trip is part of Pope Leo's effort to promote unity. He has been talking about this in different places, including with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Pope warned that the world's growing divisions and polarization could have serious consequences for everyone. The First Council of Nicaea happened in 325 AD. Emperor Constantine called it to solve a big argument about Jesus' relationship with God. Christians had faced persecution for centuries, but Constantine allowed them to worship freely. He believed a united church would help stabilize the empire. One of the main debates was led by Arius, a priest from Alexandria. He argued that Jesus was important but not equal to God. The council disagreed and declared that Jesus is "of one substance" with the Father. This idea is the foundation of the creed that many Christians recite today. The exact location of the council was only discovered in 2012. Turkish archaeologist Mustafa Sahin found it under Lake Iznik. Over time, the water level changed, and the ruins became visible on land. Locals are familiar with the site, sometimes even swimming near the ancient stones. The Christian Church stayed mostly united until the Great Schism of 1054. This split happened due to theological differences and power struggles between Rome and Constantinople. Despite this history, Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew are working to show unity. They plan to sign a joint declaration to mark this effort.