Pope Francis arrived in Constantinople on Saturday afternoon, following his official visit in Ankara as head of the Vatican State.

On Sunday morning, November 30th, Pope Francis arrived at the Church of St. George, the principal Greek Orthodox cathedral still in use in Istanbul and also the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to attend the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral.

Ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew officiated the liturgy, that was also attended by Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

After the Divine Liturgy, a joint declaration will be signed and the Patriarch will host a luncheon for the Pope at the Patriarchate.