Pope Leo XIV already has his eyes set on Nicaea, know-today as the city of Iznik. It is the main reason for his trip to Turkey: to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the first ecumenical council held there.
To recall what this assembly meant, Pope Leo has written an apostolic letter. Its title is In unitate fidei, and its a call for the unity of Christians.
POPE LEO XIV
The apostolic journey I will make to Turkey and Lebanon is approaching. In Turkey, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be celebrated. For this reason, today the Apostolic Letter, In unitate fidei, which commemorates this historic event, is being published.
The Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine in the year 325, left a significant mark on Church history. Among its legacies are the Nicene Creed, recited at every Eucharistic celebration. The council also affirmed the divinity of Christ and fixed the date of Easter.
In the text, the pontiff speaks of the turbulent times of that era and compares them with the present. Pope Leo explains that what emerged from Nicaea is the common profession of faith shared by all Christian traditions, and from this shared profession comes his call for unity.
We must leave behind theological controversies that have lost their meaning, in order to adopt a common way of thinking and, even more, a common prayer to the Holy Spirit, so that He may gather us all into one faith and one love.
He also adds that this does not imply an ecumenism that returns to past divisions.
Restoring unity among Christians does not impoverish us—on the contrary, it enriches us. As in Nicaea, this goal will only be possible through a patient, long, and sometimes difficult path of reciprocal listening and welcome. It is a theological challenge and, even more, a spiritual challenge that requires repentance and conversion from everyone.
The letter, which ends with a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit, was published on the Solemnity of Christ the King, just four days before the start of his first apostolic journey.
CA
