This is the only Christian temple built in Turkey in over 100 years. It belongs to the Syriac Orthodox community and is dedicated to St. Ephrem of Syria, a deacon and Doctor of the Church from the 4th century.
The Pope traveled there for an ecumenical meeting. Several leaders from different Christian denominations were waiting for him.
The Pope was received by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. After the official photo, the religious leaders sat at this round table. Just before the meeting began, the Holy Spirit was invoked with this chant.
No further details about this meeting were disclosed, as it was considered a stricly closed-door meeting. What is known is that each one of the leaders delivered a speech, including Pope Leo. At the end, the Our Father was prayed together.
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