Pope announces meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew

The Pope. Photo: romfea.gr

The new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has announced preparations for a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

“The meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will take place, we are preparing it,” Pope Leo XIV said during a press conference on May 13, 2025.

This concerns a meeting previously arranged by Patriarch Bartholomew and the late Pope Francis. It was scheduled for May 26 in Nicaea (Asia Minor) to mark the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD).

Leo XIV has not yet clarified whether the meeting will take place on the planned date or be postponed for organizational reasons.

Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to arrive in Rome this coming Sunday, May 18, to take part in the enthronement of the new head of the Roman Church and to hold a separate meeting with him.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew expressed hope that the successor of the late Pope Francis would continue the dialogue on the joint celebration of Easter by the Orthodox and Catholics.

 

Read also

Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution

At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.

Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession

The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.

Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy

In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.

London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights

In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.

DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty

DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.

Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service

A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.