In Nicaea, Pope Leo and Pat. Bartholomew recite Nicene Creed without Filioque

Ecumenical prayer service at the excavation site of the Basilica of St. Neophytos. Iznik, November 28, 2025. Photo: @Vatican Media

On November 28, 2025, in Iznik (formerly Nicaea), at the site of the First Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew jointly recited the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (without the addition of Filioque) for the first time. As reported by the vaticannews website, the ecumenical prayer service held held at the ruins of the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos became the central event of the pontiff’s visit, dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

According to the Pope, who addressed the gathered audience, the confession of a common Christological faith remains the key on the path to full unity of the Churches, and the current time requires Christians to overcome divisions and jointly witness peace.

"We are all called to overcome the shame of divisions that, unfortunately, still exist, and to strive for the unity for which the Lord Jesus prayed and gave His life," he said.

Pope Leo stressed that Christians are called to reconciliation among themselves and to universal brotherhood, rejecting any forms of religious violence and fundamentalism.

«In the Nicene Creed, he continued, we profess faith "in one God the Father", but this confession is impossible without recognizing other people, also created in the image of God, as brothers," the Vatican press service reports the words of the Pope.

To Patriarch Bartholomew, the Pope expressed gratitude for the initiative to hold the anniversary events in Nicaea, hoping that this anniversary will bring "fruits of reconciliation, unity, and peace".

As reported by the UOJ, earlier the Pope stated that the RCC recognizes the Creed without Filioque.

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