Pope Francis is expected to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew, at Phanar in Istanbul in November, according to sources.

Pope Francis, who reportedly expressed his wish to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew last June, is expected to visit the Phanar during the celebration of Apostle Andrew’s day, the founder of the Church of Constantinople.

A similar visit was paid in 2006 by Pope Benedict, while his predecessors Popes John Paul II and Paul VI had also visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Also, Pope Francis will pay an official visit to the capital of Turkey Ankara, where he will meet with the state and political leadership of Turkey, in his capacity as Head of State of the Vatican City.

The official confirmation of the visit is expected to be announced once the new President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fully taken over his responsibilities. So, the Pope will be the first leader to visit the new Turkish President.

It should be noted that this will be the third time in 2014 that Francis Pope will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, after their meetings in Jerusalem last May and in Rome last June.