Catholic-Orthodox Relations
The Latest
Pope Francis greets Orthodox patriarch after coronavirus cancels annual visit
Pope Francis extended a special greeting to the Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and head of the Orthodox... Read more
Pope Francis voices commitment to full communion with Orthodox
Marking the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Pope Francis sent a message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on Saturday, voicing his desire for full communion... Read more
Pope Francis: 'Canon law is essential for ecumenical dialogue'
In an audience Thursday with members of the Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches, Pope Francis said that “canon... Read more
Pope Francis explains decision to give relics of St. Peter to Orthodox
In a letter to Bartholomew I of Constantinople, Pope Francis has explained the unexpected gifting of a relic of St.... Read more
Pope Francis says Catholics, Orthodox bonded by blood of the martyrs
Pope Francis said Friday that Catholics and Orthodox are bonded by a “shared inheritance” of suffering for Christ from the... Read more
Pope Francis: Catholics and Orthodox are united by 'ecumenism of blood'
In Bulgaria Sunday, Pope Francis said Catholics and Orthodox are united by the blood of the martyrs and the Christians... Read more
Pope Francis calls for unity with Orthodox Churches
On the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Pope Francis told the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople that while the Holy... Read more
Europe will be 'adrift' if it loses Christian roots, faith leaders warn
Catholic and Orthodox leaders in a joint statement urged Europeans to remember their Christian roots, and to return to them... Read more
Modern martyrs exemplify true Christian unity, Pope says
In a speech to Catholic and Oriental Orthodox leaders, Pope Francis pointed, as he often does, to the example of... Read more
'We have faced the mercy of God' – An interview with Cardinal Koch
Hundreds of years before Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope in the western world,... Read more
What do Catholics and Eastern Orthodox disagree about, anyway?
With the Eastern Orthodox wrapping up their “pan-Orthodox Council” this past weekend, it might be a good time to take... Read more
Pope Francis prays for more fruitful dialogue after trip to Turkey
In his weekly general audience Pope Francis recalled the activities of his recent trip to Turkey, and prayed that the... Read more
Patriarch to Francis: 'You preach with words, but above all with love'
Head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I lauded the humble manner in which Pope Francis exercises his Petrine... Read more
Second joint declaration signals new step in path toward unity
In the second joint declaration they have signed since May, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew reaffirmed their shared desire for... Read more
A kiss of peace: Pope Francis receives symbolic gesture from patriarch
In a fraternal gesture Pope Francis asked for the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who marked a historic... Read more
Pope to Turkish authorities: religious freedom a key factor for peace
Pope Francis spoke to Turkish authorities on Friday of the need to create a lasting peace – one based on... Read more
Ecumenical dialogue in the spotlight as Pope's Turkey trip approaches
The cardinal heading the Church’s council for Christian Unity has expressed his hope that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Turkey... Read more
Vatican releases details for Pope Francis' visit to Turkey
In response to an invitation sent by Patriarch Bartolomeo I of Constantinople, Pope Francis will make a three-day trip to... Read more
Pope might visit Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew in November
Pope Francis may visit Turkey Nov. 29-30, strengthening the links with the Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and advancing... Read more
Pope's presence at sepulcher a step toward unity, journalist says
In light of centuries-old property divisions within the Holy Sepulcher, a Vatican journalist who lived in the Holy Land has... Read more
