Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople paid a visit to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Leo XIV on October 24, 2026. The talks took place “in a warm and friendly atmosphere,” according to the Orthodox Times.

During the audience, Patriarch Bartholomew expressed words of support and conveyed his sincere fraternal wishes to the pontiff, who is recovering from a recent surgical procedure. In turn, Pope Leo XIV thanked the Primate of the Church of Constantinople for his concern for his health.

The two leaders also took time to discuss issues of particular significance both for their respective Churches and for contemporary society as a whole.

It should be recalled that Patriarch Bartholomew had previously described the Throne of Constantinople as the guarantor of Orthodox unity.