Istanbul: The Little Sisters of the Poor in Istanbul expressed profound joy and gratitude as they prepared to welcome Pope Leo XIV to their care home for the elderly, calling the visit an honour beyond anything they had imagined. Speaking ahead of the Holy Father’s arrival on Friday morning, the Sisters described a home filled with excitement not only among the religious community but also among the elderly residents, many of whom come from diverse faith backgrounds.
Sister Margaret, who helps oversee daily care at the facility, said preparations had been underway for days, with anticipation growing among both staff and residents. “The older people are thrilled,” she shared. “Even those who are not Christian feel deeply honoured. They know this visit is something extraordinary.” The home, run by an order founded in France, serves sixty elderly men and women, including Christians of various denominations, several Muslims, and one Jewish resident. Mother Mary Ignatius, the Indian-born superior of the community, emphasized that the Sisters make no distinction of religion in offering care. To ensure everyone has spiritual support, the home includes both a chapel for Christian worship and a masjid a prayer room for Muslim residents.
Recalling their first reaction to the possibility of a papal visit, Sister Margaret described a mixture of disbelief, excitement, and nervousness. “We couldn’t believe the Pope might come here,” she said. “We kept it quiet at first, afraid it might not happen. But when the confirmation came, the joy was overwhelming. We’re just ordinary people. This is a simple home for the poor, and yet the Holy Father has chosen to come to us.”
The Sisters come from nations across the world India, England, Nigeria, Kenya, and Malta yet they share the same mission and the same challenges. Mother Mary Ignatius said the community places its trust in God through the ups and downs of daily service. She recalled the words of the congregation’s founder, St Jeanne Jugan, who often said, “If God is with us, it will be accomplished,” and reminded her Sisters that in caring for the elderly, “you are taking care of Jesus Himself.” Despite financial constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, she said their goal remains the same: to help every resident draw closer to God through love, dignity, and compassionate service.
As they awaited the Pope’s arrival, the Sisters reflected not only on their joy but on the deeper meaning of the encounter. Sister Margaret said that above all, they hoped to listen attentively to the Holy Father’s message. “The Pope is coming with a mission and a message,” she explained. “We don’t want to lose sight of that in our excitement. This is a blessing from God, and we want to understand what He is saying to us through the Holy Father. And then we must ask ourselves: where do we go from here?”
When Pope Leo enters their humble home, the Sisters plan to greet him with sincere gratitude. “It’s Thanksgiving season,” Sister Margaret noted. “And our hearts are full of thanks, thanks to God, and thanks to the Pope for coming to our small house. That is what we will tell him: that we are grateful, deeply grateful.”