Archaeologists have discovered a rare Roman-style fresco of Jesus in a tomb in Turkey

The archaeologists in Turkey they discovered a fresco of a Roman-looking Jesus as the “Good Shepherd”, which was hailed as one of the most important finds of Anatolia’s early Christian era.

The work of art was found in August in an underground tomb near the city of Iznik, where the Nicene Creeda fundamental declaration of Christian belief, was adopted in the year 325. The tomb itself is believed to date from the third century, when the area was still under the Roman Empire and Christians faced persecution.

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Archaeologists clean and restore frescoes in a 3rd century tomb where a rare early Christian depiction of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” was discovered, in Iznik, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (Khalil Hamra/AP Photo)

The fresco shows a young Jesus, clean-shaven, dressed in a toga and carrying a goat on his shoulders, according to The Associated Presswhich was the first international media organization to be given access to the tomb. The outlet noted that researchers say the fresco represents one of the rare cases in Anatolia in which Jesus is portrayed with Roman attributes.

The main archaeologist on the project he believes that the work of art could be “the only example of its kind in Anatolia”, the AP said.

A fresco depicting Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” adorns the wall of a 3rd-century tomb in Hisardere, where archaeologists discovered one of the best-preserved early Christian works of art in Anatolia, in Iznik, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (Khalil Hamra/AP Photo)

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Pope Leo XIV he recently visited the city as part of his first overseas trip since taking the helm of the Vatican. While in Iznik, Pope Leo XIV marked the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, which established the Nicene Creed that millions of Christians still read today.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) receives Pope Leo XIV (R) with an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, November 27, 2025. (Utku Ucrak/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented a tile painting of the discovery of the “Good Shepherd” to the pope, according to the AP.

While in Turkey, Pope Leo XIV was joined by Eastern and Western patriarchs and priests as they prayed that Christians would one day be born again. They prayed together on the site where the council produced the Nicene Creed. The men recited the creed, which the pope said was “of fundamental importance in the journey that Christians make toward full communion,” according to the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.