Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew agree to meet in Turkey
Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Athens News Agency
On May 19, 2025, Pope Leo met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Vatican, according to the Athens News Agency.
The two church leaders expressed their shared commitment to continuing the close relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a relationship that had deepened during the papacy of Pope Francis.
They agreed to hold a joint meeting dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, to take place in Iznik, Turkey, the site of ancient Nicaea. The event is expected to be scheduled for late November 2025, coinciding with Pope Leo’s anticipated visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate during the Feast of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
Previously, Patriarch Bartholomew had expressed hope that the new pope would show interest in celebrating a common date for Easter.
Read also
SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region
The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.