Pope Francis attended a joint service with Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, in Istanbul yesterday.

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.

In return, Pope Francis offered him 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.

Afterwards, the pope was received in the patriarchal office for a private discussions.

Pope Francis will today hold a joint ceremony with Bartholomew to renew their commitment to reunite the eastern and western branches of Christianity.

Bartholomew's seat remains in Istanbul, a vestige of the Byzantine Empire, even as his flock in Turkey has dwindled to less than 3,000 among a population of 75 million Muslims.

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