Archbishop George of Cyprus Plans a Visit to the Vatican

Archbishop George of Cyprus is planning an official visit to the Vatican, which will take place from October 19 to 21, 2026. During the trip, a meeting with Pope Leo XIV is scheduled, as well as talks with high-ranking representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. According to Orthodox Times, the key focus of the discussions will be strengthening interchurch dialogue and developing bilateral relations.

The central topic on the agenda will be the initiative to transfer the holy relics of the Apostle Paul to Cyprus. The issue of temporarily bringing this Christian relic to Cyprus is of exceptional religious significance for the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The talks will also address current church issues and the situation of communities, including Latin Catholics and Maronites, living in Cyprus.

In addition to official meetings, the visit will serve as a platform for discussing matters of mutual interest, fostering the development of spiritual and ecclesiastical ties between the two denominations.

It should be recalled that earlier, John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, paid an official visit to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV. The main purpose of the trip was to promote a joint peacekeeping initiative and to seek ways to overcome the large-scale humanitarian crisis engulfing the region.