Pope Francis kisses the encolpion of Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as they meet in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican September 30, 2023, ahead of an ecumenical prayer vigil for the Synod of Bishops in St Peter’s Square. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media Cardinal Kurt Koch January 5 and 6 marked the 60th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. It was the first meeting between a pope and an ecumenical patriarch since the one between Pope Eugene IV and Patriarch Joseph II during the Council of Ferrara (1438-1439). This important…
