His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, responding to an invitation from the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, arrived a short while ago in Ankara to attend the official welcome ceremony for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Beştepe Presidential Complex.
During this brief Patriarchal visit to the capital city, His All-Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, who was likewise invited by the President. Also travelling with them were Grand Archdeacon Alexandros and Mr Nikolaos-Georgios Papachristou, Director of the Patriarchal Press and Communication Office, as members of the Patriarchal entourage, as well as Ms Lena Katsi, representing the Chalcedon Community.
Later in the afternoon, His All-Holiness will be present for the reception of Pope Leo XIV in Constantinople, where he will welcome the Pope as the Shepherd of the city.