Pope Leo arrived at the Ecumenical Patriarchate shortly before 2:30 p.m., where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed him outside the church. The meeting is considered historic, as the two leaders are coming together in Nicaea of Bithynia, 1,700 years after the First Ecumenical Council.
The two church leaders held a thanksgiving service (doxology) at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. Also in attendance were Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, several hierarchs, and diplomatic representatives.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo signed a Joint Declaration in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal House.
Earlier, the Pope visited the Blue Mosque under strict security measures. According to Vatican sources, the muezzin—the person who calls Muslims to prayer—told the Pope, who entered barefoot as per custom, that he was welcome to offer a short prayer if he wished. Pope Leo declined, saying he preferred to continue his tour of the mosque.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Leo “with joy and gladness,” drawing attention to the close relationship he had shared with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis. Bartholomew stressed the significance of the pontiff’s first trip outside Italy being to Nicaea — “where the Christian Church was founded” — and to the Orthodox spiritual center at the Phanar.
“The message of unity between our two Churches is more important than ever,” the patriarch said. “We welcome you as a brother and renew the commitment of our Churches to bring peace and reconciliation to the world.”
“Dear brother in Christ,” Pope Leo replied, saying he was moved as he entered the church and felt he was “walking in the footsteps” of his predecessor. He said he was grateful for the chance to know some of those who held the office before him and to work with them on key Church issues.
He recalled shared commemorations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, calling those “exceptional moments” with their “brothers.” Inspired, he said, by Jesus’ prayer for unity, the Churches take up this mission with firm commitment. The pope added that they would honor the feast of St. Andrew together, calling the unity of the Churches essential.
