ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />Pope Francis attended a joint service with Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, in Istanbul on Saturday (November 29).<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />Afterwards, the pope was received in the patriarchal office for a private discussions.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />Bartholomew's seat remains in Istanbul, a vestige of the Byzantine Empire, even as his flock in Turkey has dwindled to l
