Patriarch Bartholomew: I hope Pope Leo will show interest in common Easter

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Nikos Papachristou

On May 11, 2025, during a service at St. Nicholas Church in the Kolonaki district of Athens, Patriarch Bartholomew expressed hope that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV would show interest in establishing a unified date for celebrating Easter for all Christians.

He mentioned his joint efforts with the late Pope Francis to establish a common Easter date and expressed hope that his successor would continue this dialogue:

"The late Pope Francis and I shared the common desire for the West to embrace this tradition, so there would be not only harmony, as is the case with Christmas, but also to avoid the many problems faced by families in mixed marriages, especially in the diaspora around the world. We hope that the successor of the unforgettable Francis, the new Pope, will have the same desire, and that we can reach mutual understanding and a proper solution."

Patriarch Bartholomew also cited as a successful example the practice in Greece, where, with the Vatican's blessing, Roman Catholics celebrate Easter simultaneously with the Orthodox. According to him, this creates full harmony "without the slightest dogmatic confusion or joint liturgical services, despite irresponsible accusations made by certain suspicious individuals."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew hopes to "open a new era" in relations with the new Pope.

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