Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Abp. Elpidophoros, Catholic Leaders at Meeting in Italy

Photo: Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman

CASTEL GANDOLFO — In a gesture of goodwill, Pope Leo XIV received His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, and fifty Orthodox and Catholic pilgrims in a private audience on Thursday morning at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The gathering marked a significant moment in what participants have called an ongoing journey toward Christian unity, taking place during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year themed “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Welcoming the pilgrims, Pope Leo praised Archbishop Elpidophoros - whose name he noted means “bearer of hope” - and emphasized the importance of their shared pilgrimage during this momentous year. As they greeted, His Eminence told Pope Leo that it was "a great honor to meet the first American pope."

The pope also conveyed warm greetings to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and shared his intent to visit the Patriarchate of Constantinople in November, during the anniversary commemoration of the Council of Nicaea.

In a symbolic exchange, Archbishop Elpidophoros presented Pope Leo with a handcrafted chalice and paten, echoing the 1964 gift of Pope Paul VI to Patriarch Athenagoras. The paten bore the words of St. Leo the Great:

“Our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ has no other purpose than to transform us into that which we receive.”

During the audience, the two hierarchs reaffirmed their commitment to deepen Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, not only at the theological level, but within everyday parish life. Cardinal Tobin praised the pilgrimage, which continues from Rome to Constantinople, as a fitting tribute to the 1,700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Synod of Nicaea.

This audience marks Pope Leo’s latest move to strengthen ties with the Orthodox Church. His upcoming November visit to Nicaea and the Phanar for the Feast of St. Andrew is expected to further advance dialogue and cooperation between Rome and Constantinople.

Reflecting on the visit in a social media post, Archbishop Elpidophoros quoted Patriarch Athenagoras:

“May this meeting be the dawn of that blessed and luminous day in which future generations, communing from the same chalice, may partake of the Holy Body and precious Blood of our Savior, and in love, peace, and unity, praise and glorify Him - the one Lord and Savior of the world."

Previously, UOJ reported that Pope Leo XIV had renewed his commitment to reestablishing “full visible communion” between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

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