Worshippers have hailed Pope Leo XIV's visit to Turkey after he held a divine liturgy with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul on Sunday in a gesture of support for Christian unity.

"It's sign that Christ is reuniting his church," said Theodore Pericles Vlahos, Archon, at Holy Trinity Parish in Clearwater, Florida.

Leo had two key appointments in Istanbul before flying to Lebanon on the next leg of his first foreign trip.

He held a prayer at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and the liturgy with Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, whose invitation was the impetus for his visit.

"The visit of the Pope here at Ecumenical Patriarchate with Bartholomew was breathtaking," said Thomas Rachel, German Commissioner for Freedom of Religion, who traveled to Istanbul to witness the pope's visit.

"It is a very good symbol and sign for working together between the Christians for Christian unity and gives an impulse for the people in the world to work together."

In Lebanon, Leo was expected to try to encourage Lebanese who believe their leaders have failed them, and to call on Lebanese Christians to stay or, if they have already moved abroad, to come home.

AP video by Nick Dumitrache