Pope in Turkey

The Latest

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkish Muslims 'deeply appreciated' papal visit

Dec 4, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis' visit to Turkey was highly appreciated by Muslims because of the care and interest he demonstrated for them,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Dec. 3, 2014 general audience.

Pope Francis prays for more fruitful dialogue after trip to Turkey

Dec 3, 2014

By Elise Harris

In his weekly general audience Pope Francis recalled the activities of his recent trip to Turkey, and prayed that the... Read more

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul.

A challenge and a grace – life for Catholics in Turkey

Dec 1, 2014

Living as a Catholic in the majority Muslim country of Turkey can be difficult, but it can also be a... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

Muslims must speak out against terrorism, violence, Pope insists

Nov 30, 2014

On his in-flight press conference returning from a three-day trip to Turkey, Pope Francis said that Muslim leaders around the... Read more

Rinaldo Marmara, president of Caritas Turkey.

Pope's visit could draw attention to refugees in Turkey

Nov 30, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The head of a charitable agency in Turkey voiced hope that Pope Francis’ visit will shine a light on the... Read more

Pope Francis exits Istanbul's Holy Spirit Cathedral Nov 29.

'Things will change!' – Turkish girls hopeful after Pope's visit

Nov 30, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ visit to Turkey may change the traction Christians have in a country that is almost entirely Muslim, said... Read more

Young refugees in Istanbul wait for Pope Francis to visit on Nov. 30 2014.

God never forgets his children, Pope Francis tells young refugees

Nov 30, 2014

By Ann Schneible

“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'

Nov 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

Head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I lauded the humble manner in which Pope Francis exercises his Petrine... Read more

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew exit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George following the Doxology Nov. 30, 2014. Photo courtesy of John Mindala/Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Second joint declaration signals new step in path toward unity

Nov 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

In the second joint declaration they have signed since May, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew reaffirmed their shared desire for... Read more

An exchange of brotherly greetings between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the conclusion of the Doxology service. Photo courtesy of John Mindala/Ecumenical Patriarchate.

A kiss of peace: Pope Francis receives symbolic gesture from patriarch

Nov 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a fraternal gesture Pope Francis asked for the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who marked a historic... Read more

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew exits the Patriarchal Church of St. George to greet Pope Francis.

Patriarch prays for full union between Catholic, Orthodox churches

Nov 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a prayer gathering on the second day of Pope Francis' visit to Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew I welcomed him with... Read more

Pope Francis gives his homily during Mass in Istanbul on Nov. 29, 2014.

Unity becomes 'uniformity' without the Holy Spirit, Pope warns

Nov 29, 2014

By Ann Schneible

During the only public Mass of his three-day apostolic journey to Turkey, Pope Francis warned that unity without the Holy... Read more

Istanbul's Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the

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

Syrian refugee Sarah, 14, displays a painting she made for Pope Francis.

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

Hagia Sophia, a museum in Istanbul which was formerly a church, and then a mosque.

For Pope Francis, human dignity at core of religious dialogue

Nov 28, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Dialogue between religious leaders and the “shared recognition of the sanctity of each human life” in bringing aid to the... Read more

A banner welcoming Pope Francis hangs in Isranbul on Nov. 26, 2014 ahead of his arrival.

Pope to Turkish authorities: religious freedom a key factor for peace

Nov 28, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis spoke to Turkish authorities on Friday of the need to create a lasting peace – one based on... Read more

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople at the Vatican, June 8, 2014.

A new path for unity – Pope and Patriarch to face world challenges together

Nov 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is... Read more

Istanbul's Salesian Youth Center, Nov. 27, 2014.

Waiting for the Pope: Istanbul refugee center prepares to welcome Francis

Nov 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

People at the refugee center that Pope Francis will visit this coming Sunday are learning to seek a future, the... Read more

Flag of Turkey.

The plight of Christians in Turkey, ahead of Pope Francis' visit

Nov 26, 2014

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

Nov 20, 2014

Turkey's small community of 53,000 Catholics – amid a population of 76 million – is anticipating Pope Francis' upcoming trip... Read more