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Pope Leo XIV, who is on a visit to Türkiye, arrived at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Saturday, his first apostolic trip since his election. The visit was historic and symbolic in nature and focused on promoting Christian reconciliation and peace amidst many global conflicts.
The Pope was welcomed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the entrance of the Patriarchal Church of St. George. After lighting candles and venerating the holy icon, they entered the church together and gave a talk.
Those in attendance included Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, church prelates in Constantinople and Rome, US Secretary of State Michael Rigas, European Union Religious and Diplomatic Adviser Constantinos Alexandris, and other diplomatic representatives.
After the philology, but before the private meeting, the pope and the patriarch signed a joint declaration, or unity, among Christians, under which the two vowed to work to find a way for the Catholic and Orthodox churches to set a common Easter date.
The statement did not specify a specific date, but said: “It is our common desire to continue the process of exploring possible solutions to celebrate the feast together each year.”
On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV also visited Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque. The pope reportedly took off his shoes and bowed before entering the mosque, but did not pray like his predecessors.
The Vatican initially reported that the pope had stopped briefly to pray at the mosque, but later corrected official records to say he had visited “in a spirit of contemplation and listening, and with deep respect for the place and the faith of those who gather to pray.”
This will be the Pope’s first overseas trip. He is expected to visit Lebanon next. Pope Leo