Schedule of Pope's apostolic visit to Turkey

Holy Spirit Cathedral

The Holy See has confirmed that Pope Francis, has accepted invitations from civil authorities, His Holiness Bartolomaios I and bishops, and will make an apostolic trip to Turkey from 28 to 30 November 2014, during which he will visit Ankara and Istanbul.

Leaving on the morning of Friday 28 from Rome's Fiumicino Airport. He will first visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, after which he will transfer to the presidential palace where he will be received by the president of the Republic and the authorities, to be followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister. He will subsequently visit the president of Religious Affairs in the Diyanet.

On the following day, Saturday 29, the Holy Father will travel by air to Istanbul where he will visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, and the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where he will celebrate Mass. Later, in the patriarchal Church of St George, there will be an ecumenical prayer and a private meeting with His Holiness Bartholomaios I.

On Sunday 30 Pope Francis will celebrate Mass privately with the apostolic delegation. In the patriarchal Church of St George a divine liturgy will take place, followed by an ecumenical blessing and the signing of the Joint Declaration. Pope Francis will return to Rome that evening.

Source VIS