Departure of His Holiness Pope Francis from the Phanar

ISTANBUL – His Holiness Pope Francis departed the Phanar after attending the celebrations for the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Thronal Feast on the occasion of the Feast of St. Andrew, first-called of the Apostles and brother of St. Peter, the founder of the Church of Rome.

The Joint Declaration signed by both Primates affirmed their personal commitment towards Christian unity as well as solidarity with the poor and vulnerable throughout the world. His All-Holiness accompanied Pope Francis to Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

The Pope’s visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate was in response to the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended to Pope Francis at the Pope’s Inaugural Mass on March 19, 2013. It was the first visit of Pope Francis to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.