Francis’ private guest last Friday was Senior Rabbi of the Sephardic Jews in Argentina, Rabbi Isaac Sacca

Francis has his old friend over at the Casa Santa Marta on 16 December 2016.

Sacca met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, with whom he discussed ideas to promote peace between nations.

Isaac also found time to get together with Chief Rabbi of Rome and Francis favorite, Riccardo Di Segni.

Francis is going to a mosque!

During his trip to Turkey at the end of November, Francis will:

• visit the tomb of Kemal Atatürk, the freemasonic founder of the modern day state of Turkey

• meet with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

• visit the Blue Mosque, as has his predecessor Benedict XVI

• preside over a Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

• attend an ecumenical prayer service with Patriarch Bartholomew I

• celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew at the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

This trip to Turkey has many similarities to the trip which took place earlier in the year to Israel. 

What a way to kick off the season of Advent!