Archbishop Rino Fisichella consecrates the altar of the chapel at the Pilgrim House in Nicaea

On 7 November 2026, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Pilgrim House in Nicaea, Türkiye, His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presided over the celebration during which the altar of the chapel adjoining the new facility was consecrated.

The celebration brought together the Bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Türkiye and representatives of the various Christian communities present in the country, in a meaningful moment of communion and fraternity.

In his homily, before the rite of consecration of the altar, Archbishop Fisichella reflected on the ecclesial and spiritual significance of this new place of prayer. He emphasized the importance of being a small community capable of bearing witness to hope and, above all, to the unity of faith through its way of life. A faith which, in every part of the world, makes believers members of the one Church of Christ.

The chapel of the Pilgrim House will be a place where pilgrims and visitors can gather in prayer and celebrate the Eucharist, in the heart of a city deeply connected to the history of the Church.

On the occasion of the dedication of the chapel, Pope Leo XIV wished to send a precious chalice as a sign of his closeness to and care for the local Christian community.