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The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met privately with Pope Leo XIV today, Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Vatican.
During their cordial meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch personally congratulated the new Pope on his election. In their discussion, he emphasized, among other things, the importance of continuing to promote and deepen the theological dialogue between the two Churches—Orthodox and Roman Catholic—as well as their collaboration on matters of social concern, such as the restoration and establishment of peace in the world, support for our suffering fellow human beings, and the protection of the natural environment. He also referred to the fraternal communication and cooperation he had enjoyed with the late Pope Francis, with whom he had met more than ten times.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for his presence at yesterday’s ceremony marking the official beginning of his papal ministry, and he likewise emphasized the importance of promoting inter-Christian dialogue and cooperation. He assured the Patriarch of his strong desire to visit Turkey within the current year, at a time to be determined, in order to jointly commemorate with the Patriarch the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. It is worth recalling that the Ecumenical Patriarch had extended an invitation for this occasion to the late Pope Francis, and he renewed this invitation to his successor, Leo.
The Ecumenical Patriarch presented Pope Leo XIV with an icon of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria, specifically painted for the occasion on Mount Athos, incense prepared by Athonite monks, and several of his own books. In return, the Pope offered the Ecumenical Patriarch an artistic depiction of the Baptism of Christ.
Subsequently, in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican, the Pope received and addressed the representatives of Churches and other religions who had attended yesterday’s Divine Liturgy for his enthronement, greeting each delegation in turn.
In the early afternoon, the Patriarch and his entourage visited the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to the Holy See, where they were warmly and honorably received by Ambassador Ms. Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen and her staff.
From there, the Ecumenical Patriarch proceeded with his delegation to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed and laid white roses at the tomb of Pope Francis. He then gave related statements to the media in Italian, Greek, and Turkish.
Following this, the Patriarch made an emotional visit to the nearby Pontifical Oriental Institute, where he had studied from 1963 to 1966, specializing in Canon Law.
Photos: L’Osservatore Romano / Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
