Pope Leo XIV Meets Privately with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew who Received an Honorary Doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)

Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I took place on Saturday, October 24, during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace.

The patriarch conveyed his wishes for the Pope’s speedy recovery following his lung surgery on October 13.

They discussed matters concerning their respective Churches and the international situation. 
Bartholomew I arrived in Rome on Friday, October 23, when he received an honorary doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Angelicum, where Pope Leo XIV studied.

His visit also includes a stop in Loreto and participation in the peace meeting organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Assisi. The event marks the 40th anniversary of the Day of Prayer for Peace convened by St. John Paul II in 1986.


Honorary Doctorate: The Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome awarded Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I an honorary doctorate in theology for his major contributions to Catholic-Orthodox dialogue.

35-Year Milestone: The conferral coincided with the 35th anniversary of Bartholomew's election as Patriarch of Constantinople (October 22, 1991).

Key Achievements: Cardinal Kurt Koch highlighted Bartholomew's history of signing joint declarations with four Popes and becoming the first Orthodox patriarch to address a Catholic Synod of Bishops (2008).

Core Theological Contributions: His work focuses on synodality/conciliarity, ecological awareness, and dialogue aimed at truth rather than compromise.

Patriarch's Message: Bartholomew stressed that conciliarity is essential to the Church, noting that the future of Christianity requires "humility in the face of triumphalism, encounter in the face of isolation, dialogue in the face of division, and communion in the face of nationalism."