Pope’s Türkiye Visit: Reviving the Spirit of Vatican II

Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, former Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia and past president of Caritas Türkiye, reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming apostolic journey to Türkiye (27–30 November), which will include visits to Ankara, Istanbul, and İznik (ancient Nicaea) for the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council.

He described Türkiye as a “mosaic” of religious traditions — from political and mystical Islam to small Christian communities — where Catholic life remains limited by legal and social restrictions. Yet, he emphasized that Türkiye is also a “laboratory” for faith and coexistence, where the Church must remain active and humble.

The bishop sees the Pope’s visit as a deeply pastoral and ecumenical event — one that can “revive the spirit of Vatican II” by renewing dialogue and unity among Christians, in the same spirit urged by St. John XXIII.

Recalling the massive 2023 earthquake, Bishop Bizzeti praised Caritas Türkiye’s tireless humanitarian response and its role in fostering interreligious collaboration. Working side by side with Muslims and others, he said, showed that the truest form of interreligious dialogue is “the dialogue of life — especially in service to the poor.”

For those serving in Caritas, he added, the Pope’s visit will be a moment to feel renewed pride and unity as part of the People of God, continuing the mission of Christ, the servant of all.

Source: Vatican News