Pope Leo XIV met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Saturday at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Istanbul, marking a significant moment of fraternity during his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye. The two leaders joined the faithful for a prayer service and Doxology, continuing a long tradition of encounters between the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep gratitude for the Patriarch’s warm welcome and noted the historic continuity of their relationship. “Upon entering this Church, I felt great emotion,” the Pope said, recalling that he was walking in the footsteps of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. He also highlighted the longstanding personal friendship Patriarch Bartholomew shared with his predecessors.
The Pope reflected on the growing bond between himself and the Patriarch, recalling their first meeting at the start of his pontificate. He emphasized that their gathering held special significance as the Churches commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea—an event foundational to Christian unity.
“Yesterday and this morning, we lived moments of great grace as we celebrated this anniversary together,” he said. The memory of Nicaea, he stressed, invites Christians to renew their commitment to overcoming divisions in fidelity to Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one.”
Pope Leo XIV also honored St. Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and extended warm wishes ahead of Sunday’s feast day celebrations, underscoring the shared spiritual heritage that binds the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
Following the prayer service, Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew held a private meeting and signed a Joint Declaration. The document reaffirmed their shared mission to advance Christian unity and promote peace in a world marked by conflict.
Credit/Vatican News
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