Painter Valerena Yashou presented Pope Leo XIV with a portrait of him as he departed the patriarchal church of Saint George on Saturday.

The Syrian Orthodox Christian, who is based in Istanbul but originally from Homs, said she was "very, very happy" to have met the pope and to witness his visit to Turkey.

"It is very good for us Christians," she said.

Valerena Yashou said she painted Leo's portrait in two months.