His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, May 19, to congratulate him on his recent election and discuss continued efforts toward unity between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
During the cordial meeting, the Patriarch highlighted the need to deepen theological dialogue and collaborate on global social issues, including peace, environmental protection, and support for the suffering. He also recalled his close working relationship with the late Pope Francis, noting they had met more than ten times.
Pope Leo expressed appreciation for the Patriarch’s presence at his enthronement ceremony the previous day and reaffirmed his commitment to inter-Christian dialogue.
The Pope also accepted an invitation to visit Turkey later this year to jointly commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. This invitation had originally been extended to Pope Francis, who passed away before the pilgrimage could take place.
The Ecumenical Patriarch presented the Pope with a specially painted icon of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria from Mount Athos, incense made by Athonite monks, and several of his own publications. In return, the Pope gifted an artistic depiction of the Baptism of Christ.
Later, in the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo welcomed and addressed the various religious delegations that attended his enthronement. In the afternoon, the Patriarch visited the Turkish Embassy to the Holy See, where he was warmly received by Ambassador Elif Comoglu Ulgen.
He then prayed at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and laid white roses at the tomb of Pope Francis.
Speaking to the media, the Patriarch said: “With Pope Francis I have had throughout his papacy, these twelve years, a close friendship and cooperation for the good of our Churches, for the good of all Christianity and all humanity… While preparing to come to Iznic (Nicaea), Turkey, to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the Lord called him to Upper Jerusalem.”
He confirmed that he and Pope Leo had agreed to make the pilgrimage to Nicaea together in 2025.
The visit concluded with an emotional stop at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, where the Patriarch had studied Canon Law from 1963 to 1966.
Source: Orthodox Times
