Pope Leo XIV had chosen Turkey as the first destination of his first international apostolic journey. As such, he was bringing to the fore the unity of the Christian communities living there – Armenians, Syrians, Chaldeans, and the Latin Rite faithful – as well as the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church.
For the Catholic community in Turkey, one of the smallest in the world today, the Pope’s choice was deeply moving. It was here, in Antakya, that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians”, and from here that Saint Paul set out on several of his apostolic journeys. The Pope’s visit was received with great joy and as a sign of closeness to a small yet vibrant Christian presence that lives in ecumenical relationship with other Christian churches across the country. A community whose life can at times feel fragile or overlooked was, in this moment, seen by the wider world.
It was a true privilege and honour for me to be among those invited to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where the Pope met on November 28, 2025, with bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and others who serve in parishes. The cathedral, filled to capacity with people waiting in silence and praying, suddenly burst with sound. Joyful singing and spontaneous cries of “Vivat Papa!” echoed inside and spilled out into the square, where young people and families had gathered. The joy seemed endless.
The Pope moved slowly from pew to pew, greeting everyone within reach. When he reached our place, Sister Monique, Sister Jackie and I had the grace of greeting him personally within this liturgical community.
When the excitement of the welcome had subsided a little, the Pope led the prayer and offered his homily. He spoke of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, noting that “the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to serve as a point of reference for both its Greek faithful and for followers of other Orthodox denominations.” He also drew attention to the importance of pastoral care for the many refugees and migrants residing in Turkey. After his meeting with the clergy, he visited a nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Later that afternoon, at the Apostolic Delegation in Istanbul, he met with the new Chief Rabbi of Turkey, David Sevi, and those accompanying him. During their exchange, it was underlined that the papal visit should stand as a clear sign of peace and support for all religious communities in the country.
These meetings throughout the day were widely noted around the world. Above all, they strengthened and encouraged those who live their Christian faith within a religious minority and who continue to treasure the living faith handed down by the Apostles – a faith I so often witness personally.
Sister Ania Bodzińska, NDS
