Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew agree to meet in Turkey
The Pontiff granted an audience to the Ecumenical Patriarch.
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.
