Pope Leo XIV continued his Apostolic Journey in Türkiye on Friday with a visit to a care home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor on the outskirts of Istanbul. The residence hosts seniors from diverse backgrounds, including Turks, Armenians, African refugees, and a member of the city’s historic Jewish community.
Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed in the chapel, beautifully decorated for the occasion. A women’s choir made up of immigrants from Congo, Angola, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso sang Ave Maria and Laudate Dominum as he greeted residents, paused for photos, and prayed briefly before the Blessed Sacrament.
Speaking on behalf of the sisters, Sister Margaret Searson thanked the Pope for bringing, in her words, “a reminder that God loves them immensely.”
Pope Leo expressed deep gratitude for the sisters’ service, noting that their name carries a profound message. “The Lord has called you not only to assist or help the poor,” he said, “but to be their sisters—sharing life with them in a bond of fraternity.”
Addressing the elderly residents, the Pope warned that modern society, driven by efficiency and materialism, risks forgetting the value of old age. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, he affirmed that “the elderly are the wisdom of a people, a treasure for their grandchildren, families, and society as a whole.”
He closed with “a double thank-you”—to the Little Sisters for their patient and prayerful care, and to the residents for their witness of endurance and faith.
Before departing, the Pope greeted more residents and staff, signed the guest book, and wrote: “I warmly bless this home with all its residents, and in a special way the Little Sisters of the Poor for their service and witness here.”
Credit/ Vatican News
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