Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House on Monday. This marks his sixth official meeting with an American President. The Oval Office conversation lasted over thirty minutes, during which President Trump showed interest in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s missionary activities and the situation of Christian communities in Turkey.
Patriarch Bartholomew praised President Trump’s efforts towards international peace, especially concerning Ukraine. They also discussed the conditions of Christians in the Middle East.
The meeting addressed Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Turkey for the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, a Roman Catholic, also expressed interest in the event, as noted in the patriarchate’s official statement.
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed condolences to President Trump for the murder of his friend Charlie Kirk.
Attendees included Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Theodoret of Laodicea, Maximus of Silivria, and other patriarchal representatives. President Trump was joined by Vice President Vance, Reince Priebus, and Michael Kratzis.
Post-meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew announced Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the patriarchate on November 30, and a joint visit to Nicaea with Bartholomew. Vice President Vance showed particular interest, highlighting Rome and Constantinople as major Christian centers and expressing support for the initiative.
A Vatican delegation later arrived in Istanbul to discuss the Pope’s visit with Turkish officials and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, observing strict diplomatic protocol.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate reported the discussion on Halki Theological School’s closure, with hope for positive dialogue with the Turkish government.
Patriarch Bartholomew and President Trump also discussed Ukraine’s situation, Russia’s war, and Ukraine’s tragedies. The patriarch praised Trump’s global peace efforts, particularly in Ukraine.
They addressed the persecution of Middle Eastern Christians, expressing concern about the dwindling Christian population there, fearing the loss of Christians at holy sites.
The dialogue between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Rome was described as special, parallel to a “dialogue of love.”
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