Vatican City: In a time-honored gesture of Christian fraternity, a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has arrived in Rome to participate in the celebration of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. This annual exchange between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches reflects a deep desire to foster unity and strengthen ecumenical ties.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that the Orthodox delegation is visiting from 27 to 29 June 2025, continuing a tradition where representatives of the two Churches attend each other’s patronal feasts 29 June in Rome for Saints Peter and Paul, and 30 November in Istanbul for the Feast of St. Andrew, the patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Heading this year’s delegation is Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, who serves as the President of the Synodal Commission on Catholic-Orthodox Relations. He represents Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and is accompanied by Reverend Fathers Aetios and Ieronymos.
During their stay, the delegation will join Pope Leo XIV at the Solemn Mass on Sunday, 29 June, in St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrating the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. A private audience with the Pope is also scheduled for Saturday, 28 June, where further steps in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue are expected to be discussed.
This reciprocal tradition, established decades ago, continues to serve as a visible sign of goodwill and a shared commitment to healing centuries-old divisions within the Christian family.