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Pope Francis attended a joint service with Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, in Istanbul on Saturday (November 29).
The pope, who is visiting Turkey with the mission of strengthening ties with religious leaders, was presented with an icon of St. George painted on Mt. Athos by Patriarch Bartholomew.
In return, Pope Francis offered to His All-Holiness a facsimile copy of an eleventh-century Greek manuscript from the Vatican library and a copy of ninth-century mosaic of Christ from St. Peter's Basilica.
Afterwards, the pope was received in the patriarchal office for a private discussions.
On Sunday (November 30) Pope Francis will hold a joint ceremony with Bartholomew to renew their commitment to reunite the eastern and western branches of Christianity.
Bartholomew's seat remains in Istanbul, a vestige of the Byzantine Empire, even as his flock in Turkey has dwindled to l
