Pope Francis has presented these gifts during his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar: Gift of the Holy Father to the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate The two sheets reproduced in facsimile belong to the Greek Barberinian manuscript 372 of the Vatican Apostolic Library. The original (mm. 223 x 168), in parchment, composed ...read more

Below you will find the full text of Pope Francis’ Homily during the Ecumenical Prayer Service in St. George’s Church in Istanbul: Your Holiness, my dear Brother Bartholomew, Each evening brings a mixed feeling of gratitude for the day which is ending and of hope-filled trust as night falls. This evening my heart is full of ...read more

Below you will find the full text of Pope Francis’ homily during Mass at the Cathedral of Istanbul: In the Gospel, Jesus shows himself to be the font from which those who thirst for salvation draw upon, as the Rock from whom the Father brings forth living waters for all who believe in him (cf. ...read more

The full text of Pope Francis’ address to Religious Leaders in Turkey can be found below: Mr President, Religious and Civil Authorities, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to meet with you today in the course of my visit to your country.  I thank the President of this distinguished office for his cordial invitation which ...read more

Pope Francis arrived for his Apostolic Trip to Turkey on November 28, 2014 and was greeted with a crowd at the airport. Find the full text of his welcome address below: Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, Distinguished Authorities, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to visit your country so rich in natural beauty and history, and filled ...read more

On Thursday while Americans feast on turkey on Thanksgiving Day, Pope Francis prepares for his three-day Apostolic Journey to Turkey for another kind of feast: of ecumenical relations, interreligious dialogue and peace. Breaking another record for papal trips, Pope Francis on Friday sets off on his second international journey this week alone, travelling to the ...read more

During his final engagement of his one-day visit to Albania on Sunday, Pope Francis visited a residential centre for disabled and needy children, run by an Italian charity in the Albanian capital, Tirana. In his address at the Bethany Centre (full text found below), the pope spoke of how faith, working through charity, can dislodge ...read more

Pope Francis urges Albanian youth to say yes to acceptance and solidarity during his Angelus address. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Before concluding this celebration, I wish to greet each of you who have come from all over Albania and from nearby countries. I thank you for your presence and for the witness of your faith. ...read more

  Below you will find the full text of Pope Francis’ homily during his first trip to Albania. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Holy Mass in Mother Teresa Square (Tirana, 21 September 2014) Today’s Gospel tells us that, as well as the Twelve Apostles, Jesus calls another seventy-two disciples and that he sends them ...read more

Pope Francis’ visit to Albania marks the first time a pontiff has visited the ‘Land of the Eagles’ since Pope John Paul II’s trip in 1993. His opening address, full text found below, focuses on a fruitful co-existence between people of different beliefs. “I am very happy to be here with you, in this noble land of Albania, a ...read more