On the 2nd Sunday of Luke, 1 October 2023, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy which took place at the Orthodox Church of Saint Theodore in Rome, joined also by Metropolitan Polykarpos of Italy, and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and many faithful.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch was warmly addressed by Metropolitan Polykarpos. In his response, in Italian, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy at his presence in the historic Church of St. Theodore of Tiron, as well as at his reunion with Pope Francis of Rome, just before the beginning of the Synod of Catholic Bishops. He also referred to his recent visits to Finland, Estonia, and Hungary. Finally, he addressed a special greeting, in English, to the Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps. (Read the speech here)
During his stay in Rome, the Ecumenical Patriarch met with the Abbot of the Monastery of Bose, Fr. Sabino, as well as the President of the Focolare Catholic Movement, Ms. Margaret Karram, with her colleagues.
Late in the evening, the Ecumenical Patriarch, accompanied by the Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Patriarchal Office, returned by plane to Constantinople, where he was received by Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria and Grand Protosyncellus Theodore.
