Patriarch Bartholomew I

The Latest

Cherkassy, Ukraine: an Orthrodox procession, January 2017.

Orthodox Patriarch commits to independent Ukrainian Church, snubs Moscow

Oct 11, 2018

The announcement, released Oct. 11, also removed the traditional right of the Russian Patriarch to ordain the Metropolitan of Kyiv,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Vatican City on June 27, 2017.

Unity is more than 'bland uniformity,' Pope tells Orthodox

Jun 27, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis met with a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, saying their journey toward full communion is one... Read more

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I in Greece, April 16, 2016.

Francis appeals to the martyrs in ecumenical message to Patriarch

Nov 30, 2016

The Bishop of Rome sent a message to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on Wednesday, continuing a recent tradition of... Read more

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I in Greece, April 16, 2016.

Francis, Benedict praise Bartholomew I as a brother in faith

Oct 17, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

In their forewords to a new book about the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I, Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on April 16, 2014.

Pope: 'I saw much suffering' at Lesbos refugee camp

Apr 17, 2016

Pope Francis on Sunday reflected on the great suffering he had witnessed at the refugee camp in Lesbos. He remembered... Read more

Patriarch to Francis: 'You preach with words, but above all with love'

Nov 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

Head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I lauded the humble manner in which Pope Francis exercises his Petrine... Read more

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople at the Vatican, June 8, 2014.

A new path for unity – Pope and Patriarch to face world challenges together

Nov 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on June 25, 2014.

Pope might visit Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew in November

Sep 9, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis may visit Turkey Nov. 29-30, strengthening the links with the Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and advancing... Read more

(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8.

Pope prays for peace with Israeli and Palestinian presidents

Jun 8, 2014

Pope Francis welcomed the presidents of Israel and Palestine to the Vatican on Sunday evening for an unprecedented meeting of... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi answers questions on the Pope's visit to the Holy Land on May 15, 2014.

Proposed Nicea ecumenical meeting 'nice' idea, Vatican spokesman says

May 31, 2014

In response to media reports that Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I will meet for an ecumenical gathering in Nicea... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Pope Francis will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew I in May. Courtesy Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Papal visit to Holy Land to focus on ecumenism with Orthodox

Jan 8, 2014

Pope Francis' pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to be held in May, will center on his encounter with Patriarch Bartholomew... Read more