The President of Istanbul Syriac Foundation, Zeki Basademir, was awarded the Vatican Knighthood and Outstanding Service Engagement on behalf of the Vatican and Pope Francis. At the medal ceremony, World Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatios Yousef III. was also present. The ceremony was held at the Syrian Catholic Church; besides various diplomatic mission chiefs and religious leaders from Istanbul and Syriac citizens, Dr. Akkan Suver also took part.