At the Holy Spirit Cathedral with the Pope: Excitement, Tears, Faith, and a Divine Moment
Pope Leo XIV’s “prayer gathering” at the Holy Spirit – Saint Esprit Cathedral became a shared voice of enthusiasm and centuries-old faith, filling the cathedral beyond capacity. Hundreds witnessed the historic Mass with tears, transforming the Pope’s First Apostolic Journey into a divine moment and evoking the spirit of unity from the First Council of Nicaea.
The last visit from the Vatican to Turkey was in 2014 by Pope Francis. After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, as the 267th Pope and Head of the Vatican. His first official international trip took him to Turkey.
Arrival in Turkey
On November 27, the Pope met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and later that evening arrived in Istanbul. He was welcomed by Catholic clergy and the Governor of Istanbul before proceeding to the Vatican Residence in Istanbul.
The following day, November 28, Pope Leo XIV began his visit to Istanbul, arriving at the Holy Spirit – Saint Esprit Cathedral in Şişli around 9:00 a.m. Strict security measures were in place for the “Prayer Gathering with Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Persons, and Pastoral Workers.”
Accredited guests, choir members, journalists, and communities of various ethnic backgrounds were admitted to the cathedral after security checks. In the garden, dozens of visitors from around the world, wearing Pope-themed T-shirts, waited eagerly.
Welcoming the Pope
A massive banner featuring the Vatican emblem and the Latin slogan “In Illo Uno Unum” was displayed at the cathedral entrance. This phrase from Saint Augustine means, “In One, we are one,” symbolizing the unity of Christians in Jesus Christ. Other banners welcomed Pope Leo XIV in English and Turkish:
“Welcome Pope Leo XIV. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. Apostolic Journey to Türkiye. Nicea 325–2025.”
Screens were set up in the garden for those unable to enter, allowing them to follow the prayers. Inside, visitors were greeted by a choir performing hymns in Syriac, Italian, and Arabic, led by a nun.
A red-draped wooden chair awaited the Pope at the altar. As the congregation continued to arrive, the Syrian Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Catholic Community Mgr. Orhan Çanlı, the spiritual leader of the Chaldeans in Turkey Mgr. Sabri Anar, Father Mikail Uçar of the Surp Levon Armenian Catholic Church, and other Catholic clergy took their places. In the front rows, Catholic nuns welcomed guests as hosts.
The ceremony was a special Mass for Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean, and Latin Catholics, held the day before the feast of Saint Andrew.
A Historic Mass
At 9:23 a.m., accompanied by the enchanting choir, Pope Leo XIV entered the cathedral. His arrival was met with applause, cheers, and cries of “Long live the Pope” in Italian from the crowd in the garden. He was preceded by the spiritual leader of Turkey’s Armenian Catholics, Kerabaydzar Vartan Kazancıyan, and hundreds of people applauded with tears. This time, Pope Leo’s white liturgical attire included a red cloth and a red stole draped over his shoulders, in line with the Catholic liturgical colors for Holy Friday and the Saints’ Feast.
The Pope’s Ring and Cross
The Pope wore a ring depicting Saint Peter, known as the Fisherman’s Ring, rooted in the New Testament and symbolizing the responsibility entrusted to the first Pope. Upon a Pope’s death, the ring is marked to prevent forgery, making each one unique. Pope Leo XIV continues this tradition, featuring keys and a depiction of the weeping Saint Peter. While Pope Francis wore a silver cross, Pope Leo returned to tradition with a gold cross.
Homily and Reflections
After a warm reception, the Pope sat on the altar chair and greeted the attendees. Passages from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans were read, followed by prayers based on the creed established at the First Council of Nicaea. The Pope joined in with the choir and congregation in prayers and hymns.
During his extended homily, Pope Leo XIV addressed multiple themes:
“Your Excellencies, dear brother priests, sister nuns, clergy, pastoral workers, and all my brothers and sisters, I rejoice to be with you. On my First Apostolic Journey, the Lord has granted me the grace to visit this ‘holy land’ of Turkey, where the history of the people of Israel intersects with the birth of Christianity, the Old and New Testaments embrace, and countless Council pages have been written.”
He highlighted the birth, significance, and spread of Christianity, recounting the historical presence of Armenian, Greek, Syriac, Chaldean, and Latin Catholics. Reading from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, he reflected:
“The Church in Turkey is a small community but fertile like a seed of sovereignty. Within this unity, which serves the Gospel, I encourage faith to take root and inspire hopeful confidence. The spirit of unity that allows us to joyfully share the Gospel also encourages walking together. Promising signs are already visible, including innovations in religious communication, education, and witness to faith, even if some may not yet notice them.”
At the Core of Turkey’s Christian Communities is Resilience
Pope Leo urged the churches and clergy in Turkey to enhance their pastoral work:
“I believe the Holy Spirit will guide you through every challenge. You have invaluable experience from the past. The resilience and witness inherent in Turkey’s Christian communities, along with the loyalty of local congregations who have persevered for centuries despite hardships, strengthen your mission today. The Gospel has repeatedly grown, been renewed, and gained fresh vitality in these lands.”
He concluded by reflecting on the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, emphasizing the importance of the creed. He invoked Saint John XXIII:
“May you act with the same courage, keep the joy of faith alive, and continue to serve as brave fishermen in the Lord’s boat.”
The congregation applauded for an extended time. The prayer concluded with the Closing Prayer and the removal of Pope Leo’s red vestments by the clergy. Hundreds stood, cheering “Long live the Pope” in Italian. Soon, dozens presented gifts, and the Pope gave cross necklaces in return. A physically disabled child in a wheelchair approached the Pope, who sat beside the child, took a photo, and prayed together.
Farewell to a Divine Moment
As the Pope departed, the crowd pressed forward despite the choir’s Syriac hymns, trying to calm the atmosphere. Attendees reached out to touch him, crying openly, while Pope Leo smiled and shook hands.
As the Pope approached, I extended my hand, surprised he would notice among so many. He grasped it, looked into my eyes, and smiled. Three others, reaching out at the same moment, began sobbing as the Pope held their hands. The farewell ended with cries of “Long live the Pope,” leaving an expression of awe on everyone’s faces. Those present experienced a truly divine moment in the cathedral—one likely unforgettable for the rest of their lives.
Today, Pope Leo XIV welcomed not only the Catholic world but all Christians and communities of different faiths “in their own home.” On his First Apostolic Journey, he emphasized the 1700th spirit of the First Council of Nicaea and the creed as he made his way to Nicaea.