Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to the Patriarch for his presence at the Sunday ceremony marking the beginning of his Petrine ministry.
Newsroom (20/05/2025 10:26, Gaudium Press) On Monday, May 19, Pope Leo XIV received Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The Patriarch had participated in the Pope’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square the previous day.
According to a statement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the meeting was cordial. Patriarch Bartholomew personally congratulated the new Pope on his election and emphasized the importance of continuing and deepening theological dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. He also highlighted the need for cooperation on social issues, such as restoring and maintaining world peace, supporting those who are suffering, and protecting the environment.
Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to the Patriarch for his presence at the Sunday ceremony marking the beginning of his Petrine ministry. He also underscored the importance of promoting dialogue and cooperation among Christians. The Pope reiterated his strong desire to visit Turkey later this year to commemorate, alongside the Patriarch, the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
Patriarch Bartholomew indicated that while no specific date has been set, the visit is anticipated to occur this year, possibly in November during the celebration of the Feast of St. Andrew. He expressed that it would be an honor to host Pope Leo XIV, potentially on his first trip outside the Vatican, in Nicaea and for an official visit to the Church of Constantinople.
During the exchange of gifts, Patriarch Bartholomew presented Pope Leo XIV with an icon of Our Lady Hodegetria, painted on Mount Athos, along with his books. In return, Pope Leo XIV gifted the Patriarch with an artistic representation of the Baptism.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj