Pope Leo XIV Confirms Planned Meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew

Pope Leo XIV has confirmed that the Vatican is working on organizing a meeting between him and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The pontiff made this announcement during his first official meeting with the media on May 12, Orthodox Times reports.

“A meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will take place; we are preparing it,” said the newly elected Pope. He was referring to a long-planned event that was initially intended to take place with the late Pope Francis.

The meeting is expected to occur on May 26 in Nicaea (Asia Minor) to mark the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council — one of the most significant events in Christian history. Although Pope Leo did not confirm the exact date, citing possible logistical adjustments, preparations are clearly underway.

Additionally, Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to arrive in Rome on May 18 to attend the enthronement ceremony of Pope Leo XIV and to hold a private meeting with the new pontiff.

It is worth recalling that Patriarch Bartholomew previously stated his intention to foster dialogue with the new Pope “for the sake of unity between East and West.”