Christian World | A Pilgrim's House has opened in Nicaea, Turkey, site of the Church's first ecumenical council, with a chalice sent by Pope Leo XIV, Vatican News says

ACW | November 8, 2026 — A Pilgrim's House has opened in Nicaea, today's Iznik in Turkey, at a ceremony led by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Vatican News reported on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The house offers accommodation to visitors to the ruins of ancient Nicaea on the shores of Lake Ascania and includes a chapel for prayer and Mass, Vatican News said. The report did not give the date of the ceremony.

Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization, consecrated the chapel's altar at the invitation of Archbishop Massimiliano Palinuro, the apostolic vicar of Istanbul. Pope Leo XIV sent a special chalice for the occasion.

All the bishops of the Turkish Episcopal Conference attended, along with representatives of Christian communities in Turkey, Deputy Governor Arif Karaman and Nicaea Mayor Kağan Mehmet Usta.

Archbishop Martin Kmetec of Izmir, president of the bishops' conference, called the building "a sign of hospitality for the many pilgrims" who visit each year. In his homily, Fisichella spoke of "a small community whose way of life bears witness to hope."

A marble plaque marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea has been installed in the building, according to Vatican News.

Background: Pope Leo XIV blessed the building in November 2025 during his visit to Nicaea for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, Vatican News said.

Why it matters: Nicaea is where the Church's first ecumenical council was held, Vatican News noted, and Turkey's bishops see the house as a place to welcome the pilgrims who travel there each year.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Vatican News — House for Pilgrims inaugurated in Nicaea, Turkey

Photo: Vatican News