Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meets with President Trump at the White House
ec-patr.org
OCP News Service – 16/09/2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – USA: His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House on Monday, September 15, marking his sixth visit to an American president. The meeting, which took place in the Oval Office and lasted over 30 minutes, was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
The Patriarch expressed his congratulations to President Trump for his efforts toward establishing peace, particularly in Ukraine. They also discussed the ongoing challenges for Christians in the Middle East. President Trump showed significant interest in the various initiatives and ministries of the Ecumenical Throne and the life of Christians in Turkey.
During the discussion, reference was made to the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Turkey, where he will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea alongside the Patriarch. Vice President J.D. Vance, a Roman Catholic, also showed great interest in the upcoming meeting.
Patriarch Bartholomew offered his condolences to the President for the murder of his friend and associate, Charlie Kirk, and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and a gift he received.
The Patriarch was accompanied by a delegation that included Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Archbishop Theodoritos of Laodicea, and Archbishop Maximos of Silybria. President Trump was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, as well as Reince Priebus and Michael Kratsios.
The meeting with the President was a key event of the Patriarch’s eleven-day visit to the United States, which began with his arrival at Dulles Airport on Sunday evening, September 14.
Source:
OCP News Service
