Armenian Patriarch Sahak II to visit Ankara at Erdoğan’s invitation

Patriarch Sahak II of the Armenian Church in Istanbul will travel to Ankara following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a statement from the Armenian Patriarchate read.

“As is known, tomorrow, November 27, the spiritual head of the Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, will arrive in Türkiye, with Ankara as the first stop of his visit. On the same day, the President of the Republic of Türkiye will host a reception in honour of His Holiness, to which Patriarch Sahak II of Istanbul has also been invited,” the statement said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Sahak II Mashalian, 72, has served as the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) since January 2019, succeeding Mesrob II Mutafyan, who passed away in 2016.

Pope Leo will arrive in Türkiye around midday on November 27, and will meet privately with President Erdogan before addressing Turkish authorities.

On November 28, in the town of İznik, the Pope will participate in an ecumenical prayer service marking the 1,700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council.

By Khagan Isayev