Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV begin their meeting in Turkey

Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV. Photo: ASP

On November 28, 2025 a meeting between Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV opened in Nicaea (Iznik, Turkey), dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. The report comes from the Orthodoxia News Agency.

The first part of the program took place in the Basilica of Saint Neophytos, specially prepared for the anniversary celebration. Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria arrived for the event, while the Patriarchates of Antioch and Jerusalem sent official delegates. It is noted that the visit of Pope Leo XIV is the first time in history that a Roman Pontiff has been present in Nicaea.

After the visit to Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV’s program will continue in Istanbul. On Saturday, November 29, Pope Leo XIV will arrive on the Phanar, where he will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew. The Primates will visit the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, where a doxology will be served.

A joint declaration will be signed at the Patriarchal House. After that, the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople will hold a private meeting in the Patriarchal office. Pope Leo XIV will then visit one of the great shrines of the Muslim world – the Sultanahmet Mosque.

On Sunday, November 30, the Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy is scheduled in honor of the feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called. After the Liturgy the Primates will address the faithful from the balcony of the Patriarchal House.

Upon completing his visit to Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV will depart for Beirut, where the next stage of his international tour will begin.

Earlier the UOJ reported that in the Vatican, Patriarch Theodoros and the Pope discussed what they must communicate to the world.

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