On the last day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Francis held a joint service in Istanbul together with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians. <br /><br />Francis’ trip is aimed at promoting interfaith harmony in the pre-dominantly Muslim country, which has a small Christian community of around 120 000 and has a reputation for religious tolerance.<br /><br />The Pople was also due to meet with Turkey’s chief rabbi on Sunday. The country’s Jewish community has dwindled to around 17 000. <br /><br />He’s also scheduled a meeting with a group of Syrian refugees. In view of what is happening in Iraq and Syria, his visit has taken on greater symbolism. <br /><br />Yesterday the Pope visited Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque where he turned towards Mecca and paused as the Grand Mufti of Istanbul, Rahmi Yaran, recited a Muslim prayer. <br /><br />He’s also scheduled a meeting with a group of Syrian refugees. In view of what is happening in Iraq and Syria, his visit has taken on greater symbolism.
