The historic Basilica of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) in Florence was visited by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with his entourage.
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence is the city’s first cathedral, and the first place of Christian worship built in the Medici city. It was the first seat of the bishops of the city, from where the evangelization of the wider region of Tuscany began. The Church was consecrated by Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who dedicated it to Saint Archdeacon and Martyr Laurentios (Lawrence).
The Ecumenical Patriarch and his entourage were received at the entrance of the Basilica by Archbishop – Metropolitan of Florence Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, by the Superior of the Basilica (Priore Mitrato della Basilica di San Lorenzo) Mons. Marco Domenico Viola and the Canons of the Church. After the customary prayer, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the members of his entourage had the opportunity to take a tour of the interior of the Church and the Chapel Cappelle Medicee, where the burial complexes of the Medici family are also located. Then an official dinner was held in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the members of his entourage.