Pope Francis begins apostolic visit to Turkey

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Istanbul

Pope Francis begins his three-day apostolic trip to Turkey this morning, at the invitation of civil authorities, His Holiness Bartolomaios I and the bishops. During his stay the Pope will visit Ankara and Istanbul.

The Holy Father 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 Saturday, 29 November, the Holy Father will travel by air to Istanbul where he will visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, (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 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. In the afternoon the Holy Father will return to Istanbul Airport to return to Rome, where he is expected to arrive, at Fiumicino Airport, at 6.40 pm.

Source: VIS