CNA Staff, Jun 29, 2020 / 14:00 pm
Pope Francis extended a special greeting to the Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and head of the Orthodox Churches, on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The pope made the greeting during Monday's Angelus message.
Speaking to the crowd in St. Peter's square, Pope Francis noted that it is tradition for a delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople to visit Rome on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, but that the visit could not happen this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"I spiritually embrace my dear brother, the Patriarch Bartholomew, in the hope that our reciprocal visits may resume as soon as possible," said Pope Francis.
Sts. Peter and Paul are the patrons of the city of Rome. Traditionally, a Roman delegation makes a return visit to Istanbul (formerly known as Constantiople) on St. Andrew's Day, November 30. St. Andrew is the patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.