Patriarch Bartholomew paid tribute to Pope Francis in Rome

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Rome, where he went to the resting place of the late Pope Francis to offer a prayer for the repose of his soul. According to Fos Fanariou, this event took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

During his visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Patriarch Bartholomew laid flowers on the grave of his late friend, Pope Francis. As a sign of deep respect and spiritual closeness, the head of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople also offered a prayer before the historic Byzantine icon “Salus Populi Romani” (Salvation of the Roman People).

As a reminder, we previously reported that on April 21, 2025, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, conducted a “memorial service” for Pope Francis at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral.