Iznik: Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican, on Friday attended events marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea in the northwestern province of Bursa's Iznik district, Trkiye. As part of his visit to Trkiye, which first included meetings in Ankara and Istanbul, the pontiff travelled to Iznik for the commemorative ceremony.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pope Leo XIV described the anniversary as a valuable opportunity, highlighting the council's enduring significance for Christianity. He addressed the global issues of violence and conflict, urging that religion should never be used to justify war, violence, or any form of extremism or fanaticism. The pope emphasized a universal call for peace and reconciliation.

The pope expressed his gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew for initiating the commemoration and conveyed messages focused on unity, reconciliation, and peace. Following his program in Iznik, Pope Leo XIV was set to return to Istanbul before departing for Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Sunday.