Pope Francis arrives in Turkey

In-flight greeting for press corps

Pope Francis has arrived in Ankara at the start of his three day pastoral journey to Turkey.  His visit to the cities of Ankara and Istanbul comes in response to invitations from the Turkish government and from the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians.

The Pope’s engagements in Ankara include meetings with Turkey’s government leaders and with the nation’s senior Muslim cleric. He then travels to Istanbul where he will meet Patriarch Bartholomew for talks and is also due to sign a joint declaration with him.

On the flight from Rome, Pope Francis briefly greeted journalists accompanying him. He told them: “Hello.   I welcome you and thank you for your company during this journey.  Your work is a support, a help and also a service for the world, reporting on this religious and humanitarian activity.  At this time, Turkey is a witness (to this) and one that offers help to many refugees from the areas of conflict.  I thank you for your work.  We’ll meet again on our return for the press conference.  Many thanks and have a good trip.”

See the BBC report here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30239233