Pope Francis issues call for unity

Pope Francis (left) and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I bless the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Patriarchal Church of St George in Istanbul (AP)

Pope Francis appealed for unity between the Catholic and Orthodox churches today as he wrapped up his visit to Turkey with a liturgy alongside the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians and a meeting with young refugees from Syria and Iraq.

Hypnotic chants and incense filled the Orthodox Church of St George as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Francis marked an important feast day for the Orthodox Church.