An apostolic voyage to Turkey

Today, the Director of the Holy See Press Centre announced that the Holy Father has accepted the invitation issued by the President of the Republic of Turkey, by His Holiness, Bartholomew I and by the President of the Turkish Episcopal Conference to visit Ankara and Istanbul from November 28 to 30 of this year.

Program for the Apostolic Voyage

of His Holiness, Pope Francis

to Turkey

Friday, November 28, 2014
9:00am
Departure by aircraft from Rome's Fumicino Airport

1:00pm
Arrival at the Esemboğa Airport in Ankara
Official welcome

Visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk

Presidential Palace
Welcoming ceremony
Courtesy visit with the President of the Republic
Meeting with civil authorities (The Holy Father will share a speech)

Audience with the Prime Minister

Visit with the President of Religious Affairs at the Diyanet

Saturday, November 29, 2014
9:30am  Departure by aircraft from the Esemboğa airport in Ankara

10:30am Arrival at the Ataturk International airport in Istanbul

Visit to the Museum of Santa Sofia

Visit to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque

Holy Mass in the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Homily by the Holy Father)

Ecumenical prayer in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George
Private meeting with His Holiness, Bartholomew I in the Patriarchal Palace

Sunday, November 30, 2014
Holy Mass in private at the Apostolic Delegation

Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George
Ecumenical blessing and signing of a joint declaration
Lunch with His Holiness, Bartholomew I at the Ecumenical Patriarchate (speech by the Holy Father)

4:45pm  Departure ceremony at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul

5:00pm  Departure from the Ataturk international airport in Istanbul

6:40pm  Arrival at the Ciampino airport in Rome