Patriarch Bartholomew: The main goal of dialogue with the Vatican is the restoration of common communion

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople confirmed that the strategic goal of ecumenical dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches is the full restoration of Eucharistic communion. The head of the Phanar emphasized the importance of the ongoing negotiations on complex dogmatic issues, such as the Filioque and the primacy of the Pope, expressing hope for a return to the unity that existed in the first millennium.

The Primate of the Church of Constantinople made these remarks as part of the documentary film “Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch,” produced by the Greek public broadcaster ERT to mark the 35th anniversary of his patriarchal ministry. The patriarch noted that the parties are engaged in active discussions on key doctrinal differences, including the Filioque issue and the dogma of papal infallibility. According to him, the ultimate goal should be the joint celebration of the Liturgy and communion from “one Holy Chalice.”

Responding to critics who consider inter-Christian dialogue pointless, the head of the Phanar emphasized that the timing and results of this process depend on God’s Providence, and that the Lord’s will is that “all may be one.” The Patriarch also expressed confidence that the Orthodox Church, which preserves the tradition of the undivided Church, has already exerted a certain influence on the Catholic Church, particularly regarding the development of conciliarity.

As a reminder, we previously reported that Metropolitan Seraphim of Kifissia and Antikifissia, a hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, criticized the joint celebrations with Roman Catholics marking the 1,700thanniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, which took place in Turkey in late November 2025 under the auspices of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The bishop noted that, apart from Patriarch Bartholomew, only one of the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches was present at the celebration precisely because Pope Leo XIV had participated in the event. Furthermore, Metropolitan Seraphim stated that it was inappropriate to sign a declaration of cooperation between the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope, given the significant contradictions between Orthodox and Catholic theology.