Pope Leo's vist to Turkey and the Ecumenical Patriarchate - Halki seminary on the table

The presence of a Pope in Turkey creates hopes for its reopening, while at the same time underlining the need for respect for Christian minorities and strengthening religious pluralism in Turkey. The visit is considered by Italian and international analysts to be extremely important, as it is linked to the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and to the dialogue between Orthodox and Catholics. At the same time, the Pope's presence at the Phanar and in Nicaea seems to bother the Russians, who are attempting to downgrade the value of such events and periodically create obstacles to inter-Christian dialogue. The Russian intervention is linked, according to circles in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to the absence of the Patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem from the celebrations, who maintain close relations with the Patriarchate of Moscow.

Shortly before departing from Rome, the Pope gave a statement to the correspondent of Greek state outlet APE-MPE, Theodore Andreadis Syngelakis, underlining that the visit is a continuation of an initiative planned by Patriarch Bartholomew and the late Pope Francis for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. The death of Francis postponed the plan, but Leo XIV decided to continue it, showing that the unity of Christians remains a central priority. “Unity can also be a source of peace for the whole world,” he stressed, adding that “our Christian witness is needed” and that the meeting with the Patriarch offers an important opportunity to promote Christian unity.

Barbs from Erdogan - Halki in the spotlight

The first day of the visit focused on Ankara, where the Pope met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and emphasized Turkey’s role as a “bridge between East and West, Asia and Europe, religions and cultures.” At the same time, he warned against the “homogenization” of Turkish society, emphasizing that such a development “would constitute impoverishment” and that “a society is not alive if it is not pluralistic.” The message focused mainly on the protection of minorities, especially Christian communities, which constitute only 0.1% of the population of 86 million, while at the same time highlighting issues of freedom of expression and religious pluralism. The Pope also stressed the importance of the dignity of all people and the equal participation of women in society, in professional, cultural and political life, as a factor in strengthening democracy.

The first day brought the Theological School of Halki back into the spotlight, as a visit by a Pope to Turkey creates a favorable climate for its reopening. The statements on respect for minorities and strengthening pluralism serve as a reminder of the need to recognize the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while international observers estimate that the visit may pave the way for new talks on religious freedom.

Halki back in the spotlight

Pope Leo XIV's tour of Turkey revives hopes for the reopening of the historic Theological School of Halki, which has remained closed for decades

Its forced closure in 1971, following state restrictions on private higher education, sparked international backlash, especially as Turkey later allowed dozens of private universities to flourish.

Today, however, there are signs of a turnaround. In September, during talks at the White House, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured US President Donald Trump that Turkey would help reopen the school, linking the move to similar actions by Greece on Muslim rights. On the island, renovation projects are now evident: scaffolding surrounds the buildings, and dormitories and classrooms have already been renovated to accommodate new students.

As Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, stressed, this is “a huge step for Turkey, minorities and the future of religious rights.” In an interview with the Associated Press, he noted that a special committee, consisting of representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Turkish authorities, is already working towards reopening, with hopes of enrollment as early as the next academic year.

He, a native of Constantinople and now 57 years old, described the school’s long-standing closure as “an outdated political remnant that damages Turkey’s image and interests.” He even highlighted the contradiction that, while dozens ofChristian universities are flourishing in the country, the Halki exclusion acts as a brake on progress for all.

Turkey’s stance on the school is seen as a crucial indicator of its policy towards religious minorities, in a country of nearly 86 million people, where the Christian population is estimated to be between 200,000 and 370,000. Despite reforms adopted by the Erdogan government — such as returning confiscated property and licensing new places of worship — significant difficulties remain. The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne officially recognizes only the Armenian, Greek and Jewish communities, leaving other Christian groups without legal status and often facing obstacles to establishing churches or associations.

The Pope’s message has strong international and theological depth, as it focuses on Christians in the Middle East, who are being tested in Syria and elsewhere, with population movements and restrictions on religious freedoms. At the same time, Russia seems to be exerting indirect pressure, undermining the full recognition of the importance of the visit, while the absence of the two Patriarchs from the celebrations highlights the geopolitical tensions that accompany the effort for unity.

Pope visits the Ecumenical Patriarchate the  - Message of unity and religious tolerance

In the coming days, the Pope will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchal Throne in the Phanar, where he will honor the throne feast of Saint Andrew and meet with representatives of Orthodox and Protestant Churches, strengthening the perspective of Christian unity. He will travel to Nicaea in Bithynia, where he will present the message of the First Ecumenical Council and the common "I Believe", with the participation of representatives of all Christian traditions, emphasizing that unity can emerge through legitimate diversity. During his trip, he will meet with young people and representatives of social organizations, with an emphasis on religious tolerance, the protection of minorities and the strengthening of women's participation, while the visit will conclude with his departure for Lebanon, conveying messages of peace and brotherhood to all religious communities.

Pope Leo XIV's visit is an opportunity to highlight the challenges of religious diversity and the possibilities of unity in the Christian world. Through his statements in Ankara, the Phanar and Nicaea, he sends messages of pluralism, protection of minorities and respect for diversity. At the same time, it brings Halki back to the fore and focuses on the Christians of the Middle East who are being tested mainly in Syria, while the shadow of the Russian factor and the absence of the Patriarchs underline that the visit is moving in a geopolitically sensitive area. The coming days will show whether the messages of the first day will be transformed into tangible results, strengthening dialogue, brotherhood and religious freedom in the region.