Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, honoring him as “a precious brother in Christ” and “a true friend of Orthodoxy.” Bartholomew praised Pope Francis for twelve years of friendship, support, and collaboration, while reflecting on their shared efforts to strengthen ties between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Bartholomew notably recalled their 2014 meeting in Jerusalem, where they prayed together at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was during that meeting that Bartholomew proposed the idea of jointly commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 2025—an idea warmly welcomed by Pope Francis then. “It was not meant for him to come,” Bartholomew remarked, adding that the Ecumenical Patriarchate will still honor this historic anniversary in some form, while the participation of the Catholic Church will depend on the stance and intentions of the newly elected Pope.

In his closing remarks, Bartholomew prayed for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and expressed hope for a worthy successor who will embrace his vision, and continue his precious work for all of humanity and especially for Christendom. “Eternal be your memory, Brother Pope Francis.”

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