Overview
- In Iznik, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I led an ecumenical prayer, recited the Nicene Creed and signed a declaration committing to “new and courageous steps” toward unity, including work on a common Easter date.
- He visited Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday; the Vatican had announced a brief silent prayer there, though public accounts did not confirm whether it occurred.
- Roughly 4,000 worshippers attended a rain-soaked Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena, where the pope urged believers to build bridges with other Christians and with people of other religions.
- Throughout the trip he encouraged Turkey’s small Catholic flock and praised outreach to migrants and refugees, calling “the logic of littleness” the church’s true strength.
- Security was tight with isolated incidents, including a small New Welfare Party protest in Iznik and police removing Mehmet Ali Agca, as the pope closed with services at the Armenian cathedral and the Patriarchal Church of St. George before departing for Beirut.