Patriarch says Pope Leo will visit Nicaea later this year

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I attended the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo on May 17. He prayed with the new Pontiff, and the following day had a private meeting.

At this meeting, both the Ecumenical Patriarch and Pope affirmed their dedication to continuing and strengthening the brotherly ties that Pope Francis had with the former. They mutually resolved to work together to defend those who are weak and in need, and to promote peace worldwide.

According to a report by the Orthodox Observer News, Bartholomew and Leo also agreed to meet together in Nicaea toward the end of November, near the Feast of Saint Andrew (November 30), in order to commemorate together the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which took place in the 325 AD.

During the historic visit, Pope Leo might also visit the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, at the Phanar in Constantinople. Reports of a visit by Pope Leo to Nicaea (in present day Iznik, Turkey) have not been confirmed by the Vatican.

The Orthodox Observer News reported that the Ecumenical Patriarch and Pope Francis had begun planning the meeting in Nicaea more than a decade ago. At the time of Pope Francis’ passing, Bartholomew recalled that he and the late Pope Francis made plans during a 2014 meeting in Jerusalem for what would have been an historic encounter this year.

FULL STORY

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV Meet in Rome, Plan Nicaea Meeting in November – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Orthodox Observer News)

Ecumenical Patriarchate: Pope Leo to visit Turkey in November (Catholic World News)