On Monday afternoon, 22 April 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was received with all due formality by the Prime Minister of France, Gabriel Attal, who was waiting for the Ecumenical Patriarch at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Matignon Residence.
In the meeting, lasting approximately 45 minutes, the French Prime Minister asked the Ecumenical Patriarch about the Orthodox and inter-Christian initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and himself personally which seek to strengthen Christian unity, preserve the natural environment, but also to achieve the much-desired peace in the war-torn people. In his reply, the Patriarch referred extensively to the actions of the Church of Constantinople in the above areas, while he did not fail to highlight the new initiative he undertook with Pope Francis for a joint celebration, next year 2025, of the 1700th anniversary of the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council, in the place where it was held, in Nicaea, Bithynia, and invited Mr. Attal to attend the relevant celebrations.
During the talks, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Deputy Minister of Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, was present on behalf of the French Government, as well as Stephen Marchisio, diplomatic advisor, Marie Philippe, advisor for foreign affairs, and Ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, advisor for religious affairs, and on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate the entire Patriarchal entourage. An exchange of gifts was carried out following protocol. Apart from the formalities of the talks, the Prime Minister of France presented his mother to the Ecumenical Patriarch, who is an Orthodox Christian, to receive the holy Patriarchal blessing. After the meeting, the Patriarch and His entourage were officially photographed with the Prime Minister, who then escorted the Ecumenical Patriarch to His vehicle.
In the evening of the same day, the Ecumenical Patriarch and his entourage attended a formal dinner offered in his honor by Laurent Ulrich, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Paris, at the Archdiocese Headquarters. The Archbishop welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch with warm words, who also duly responded, while they also exchanged gifts as souvenirs of the visit.
Photographs: Florian DAVID / Matignon
