Pope in Turkey
The Latest
Turkish Muslims 'deeply appreciated' papal visit
Pope Francis' visit to Turkey was highly appreciated by Muslims because of the care and interest he demonstrated for them,... Read more
Pope Francis prays for more fruitful dialogue after trip to Turkey
In his weekly general audience Pope Francis recalled the activities of his recent trip to Turkey, and prayed that the... Read more
A challenge and a grace – life for Catholics in Turkey
Living as a Catholic in the majority Muslim country of Turkey can be difficult, but it can also be a... Read more
Muslims must speak out against terrorism, violence, Pope insists
On his in-flight press conference returning from a three-day trip to Turkey, Pope Francis said that Muslim leaders around the... Read more
Pope's visit could draw attention to refugees in Turkey
The head of a charitable agency in Turkey voiced hope that Pope Francis’ visit will shine a light on the... Read more
'Things will change!' – Turkish girls hopeful after Pope's visit
Pope Francis’ visit to Turkey may change the traction Christians have in a country that is almost entirely Muslim, said... Read more
God never forgets his children, Pope Francis tells young refugees
“Dear young people, do not be discouraged.” Pope Francis made this appeal during an encounter with young refugees in Istanbul,... Read more
Patriarch to Francis: 'You preach with words, but above all with love'
Head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I lauded the humble manner in which Pope Francis exercises his Petrine... Read more
Second joint declaration signals new step in path toward unity
In the second joint declaration they have signed since May, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew reaffirmed their shared desire for... Read more
A kiss of peace: Pope Francis receives symbolic gesture from patriarch
In a fraternal gesture Pope Francis asked for the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who marked a historic... Read more
Patriarch prays for full union between Catholic, Orthodox churches
In a prayer gathering on the second day of Pope Francis' visit to Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew I welcomed him with... Read more
Unity becomes 'uniformity' without the Holy Spirit, Pope warns
During the only public Mass of his three-day apostolic journey to Turkey, Pope Francis warned that unity without the Holy... Read more
Pope Francis' prayer at Blue Mosque 'exactly the same' as Benedict XVI
During Pope Francis’ visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, he paused for a moment of prayer alongside Ankara’s Grand Mufti –... Read more
Young Syrian refugee tells Pope, 'pray for us and pray for peace'
Currently a living as a refugee at a Salesian school in Istanbul, 14-year-old Sarah will give Pope Francis a picture... Read more
For Pope Francis, human dignity at core of religious dialogue
Dialogue between religious leaders and the “shared recognition of the sanctity of each human life” in bringing aid to the... Read more
Pope to Turkish authorities: religious freedom a key factor for peace
Pope Francis spoke to Turkish authorities on Friday of the need to create a lasting peace – one based on... Read more
A new path for unity – Pope and Patriarch to face world challenges together
A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is... Read more
Waiting for the Pope: Istanbul refugee center prepares to welcome Francis
People at the refugee center that Pope Francis will visit this coming Sunday are learning to seek a future, the... Read more
The plight of Christians in Turkey, ahead of Pope Francis' visit
Since the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003, and especially since the eruption of the Syrian civil war in... Read more
Turkey's 53,000 Catholics happily awaiting Pope Francis
Turkey's small community of 53,000 Catholics – amid a population of 76 million – is anticipating Pope Francis' upcoming trip... Read more
