Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

In the aisles of the Volkswagen Arena, converted for a day into a modern cathedral, the mosaic of faces is impressive. Visiting Turkey’s small Catholic community, estimated at 33,000 souls, did the Pope expect to find here in Istanbul the same diversity of faithful that his city of Rome welcomes every day? Turks, Congolese, Cameroonians, Read More…

A snapshot of Catholics in Turkey at the Pope’s Mass

Readings: • Is 2:1-5 • Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 • Rom 13:11-14 • Mt 24:37-44 Advent is apocalyptic. Perhaps you’ve never thought of it in that way. But the readings for this [...]

Istanbul, Turkey, Nov 29, 2025 / 11:20 am Pope Leo XIV marked the start of Advent on Saturday with an appeal for unity and peace, telling thousands gathered for Mass in Istanbul that Christians “journey [...]

Istanbul, Turkey, Nov 29, 2025 / 10:07 am Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said on Saturday they are “deeply alarmed by the current international situation,” issuing a joint appeal for [...]

CNA Staff, Nov 29, 2025 / 08:30 am The papal plane set to fly Pope Leo XIV from Turkey to Lebanon on Sunday is one of thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft affected by a computer [...]

This is the time of year when we all look at each other and murmur our annual astonishment that we can’t believe it’s Advent already. It’s the time of year I have my traditional, curmudgeonly outburst (like clockwork right before Thanksgiving) about how annoyed I am about Christmas music already being played in the supermarket Read More…

St. Hildegard, Advent, and a vision that will comfort you about time

After a busy day that began with a visit to one of Istanbul’s most majestic mosques, continued with a round-table discussion with Christian leaders on the path forward in unity, then progressed to a stop at the See of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople where he signed with Bartholomew a joint declaration, Pope Leo moved Read More…

Pope in Turkey suggests Advent resolutions

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Within the liturgical feast of Andrew, St. Peter’s brother and patron of the Orthodox Church, from Phanar, the seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew issued a new call for Christian unity. This November 29, 2025, the Pope said that the commemorations of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea Read More…

May God have mercy and fulfill our prayer for unity