The Ecumenical Patriarchate announced the forthcoming visit of US State Secretary Mike Pompeo in Constantinople on November 17.
It is reminded that other US state secretaries have already visited Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, such as Madeline Albright, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton.
In the announcement, these visits demonstrate the significance and standing of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as an institution with a history of many centuries, with an invaluable offering and contribution to global civilization.
Moreover, the US state secretary points out that he expects to discuss with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issues of fundamental rights and religious freedom, on which, as known, the United States has always been interested in consolidating throughout the world.
In February 2019, Secretary Pompeo had invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to Washington, DC, to discuss and exchange views on similar issues of concern to humanity today, including the role of religions in establishing peace and stability in the world.
However, at the time, the obligations of Ecumenical Patriarch prevented that meeting from taking place in the United States.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate expresses its satisfaction for this forthcoming high visit and its gratitude to the U.S. Secretary of State for incorporating it in the schedule of his ten-day journey to Europe and the Middle East.