ISTANBUL – His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,
spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide, will receive
Pope Francis on November 29-30, 2014, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in
Istanbul.
Pope Francis' visit to Istanbul comes at the personal invitation of
the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the feast day of St. Andrew the
Apostle, the older brother of Saint Peter. St. Andrew is considered the
first-century founder of the Church of Constantinople, the former name for
present-day Istanbul. The invitation was originally extended by Patriarch
Bartholomew to Pope Francis at the papal inaugural Mass on March 19, 2013. Both
prelates are noted throughout the world as peacemakers and bridge-builders of
truth and love across religious, cultural and ethnic divides.
"We are eagerly awaiting the visit of our brother, Pope
Francis," said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. "It will be yet
another significant step in our positive relations as sister Churches."
On Saturday afternoon, November 29th, Pope Francis will arrive at
the Phanar and be received by His All-Holiness in order to participate in a
Doxology of peace and thanksgiving at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George.
The prayer service will be followed by a private meeting between the two Church
leaders. Prior to this event, His All-Holiness will attend Mass at the Roman
Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul.
On Sunday morning, November 30th, Pope Francis will attend the
Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where both prelates will deliver
official addresses, exchange the kiss of peace and together bless the faithful.
After the Divine Liturgy, a joint declaration will be signed and the Patriarch
will host a luncheon for the Pope at the Patriarchate.
His All-Holiness Bartholomew is
the Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. He is the
269th successor of the 2,000-year old local Christian Church founded by St.
Andrew. As a citizen of Turkey, His All-Holiness's personal experience offers a
unique perspective on the vital dialogue among Jews, Christians and Muslims.
For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights,
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was awarded the United States Congressional
Gold Medal in 1997.
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