Patriarch Bartholomew: I look forward to welcoming Pope Leo to the Phanar

Patriarch Bartholomew and a delegation of Catholic bishops. Photo: romfea.gr

On June 17, 2025, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received a large delegation of Catholic bishops of Europe at the Phanar, led by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, according to Romfea.

The Patriarch spoke about the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, recalling that it was there the Church affirmed the truth about Christ and laid the foundations for conciliar governance. He stressed that the unity of the Church is not a strategy, but a matter of fidelity to the truth.

Bartholomew devoted particular attention to relations with the Catholic Church. He noted that the Orthodox and Catholic Churches have followed a “path of mutual understanding,” though not without challenges. The Patriarch praised former Pope Francis as “a true friend of Orthodoxy,” and said that he had already met twice with the new pontiff – Pope Leo XIV.

"I eagerly await his visit to the Phanar," Bartholomew said, expressing hope that under Pope Leo’s leadership, relations between the two Churches will continue to strengthen “in truth and love.”

He also spoke about dialogues with other Christian confessions – Eastern and Protestant – and emphasized that contemporary challenges such as war, persecution, and the ecological crisis require a unified voice from the Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a UOC priest had invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to Chernivtsi so that he could witness firsthand the lawlessness being committed by his spiritual children.

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