GreekReporter.comGreek churchPatriarch Bartholomew and President Trump Hold Oval Office Meeting
Patriarch Bartholomew and President Trump Hold Oval Office Meeting
President Trump received Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Monday at the White House. This marked the sixth time the Patriarch has met with a sitting US President.
The meeting in the Oval Office, which lasted over half an hour, was held in a very cordial atmosphere. President Trump showed keen interest in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s initiatives and ministries, as well as the lives of Christians in Turkey.
During their discussion, Bartholomew congratulated the President on his efforts to promote global peace, particularly in Ukraine. They also addressed the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East.
Additionally, the two leaders referenced the upcoming visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of Rome to Turkey. The Pope’s visit will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea with the Ecumenical Patriarch. Vice President JD Vance, a Roman Catholic, expressed great interest in this meeting.
The Patriarch offered condolences to President Trump on the assassination of his friend and colleague, Charlie Kirk and concluded the meeting by thanking the President for the warm welcome and a thoughtful gift.
Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by Archbishops Elpidophoros of America, Theodoritos of Laodicea, and Maximos of Selybria; the Very Reverend Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios; and the Reverend Protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos.
The President was joined by Vice President JD Vance, as well as Reince Priebus, a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Intelligence Services, and Michael Kratsios, the President’s Science Advisor.
Bartholomew’s itinerary in Washington and New York following the meeting with Trump
Bartholomew’s visit to the US is taking place on the occasion of the Ecumenical Patriarch being awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize for his advocacy of environmental stewardship as a spiritual responsibility.
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented to a living person for “exemplary achievements” that advance the philanthropic vision of Sir John Templeton, a vision focused on using science to explore deep questions pertaining to the universe and humanity’s purpose.
Following the White House meeting, the Patriarch’s schedule in Washington includes a series of notable events. He will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and attend a formal dinner at the State Department. Other planned engagements include a lunch with House Speaker Mike Johnson and a reception at a parish in Virginia.
On Thursday, the Patriarch will travel to New York City. His itinerary there features a visit to the Church of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero, where he will preside over a doxology. While in New York, he is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and speak at the Council on Foreign Relations.
The visit will conclude with the Templeton Prize ceremony, which will take place on September 24 at Lincoln Center.
No comments:
Post a Comment