Phanar hierarch and Vatican Nuncio discuss "restoring unity"

Archbishop Elpidophoros with Vatican nuncio Gabriele Caccia. Photo: Vima Orthodoxias

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with Apostolic Nuncio Gabriele Caccia to discuss prospects for closer relations between the Phanar and the Vatican, according to Vima Orthodoxias.

The meeting took place on July 8, 2026, and focused on advancing dialogue between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulated Caccia on his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States and stressed the importance of preserving the strong ties that the Phanar and the Holy See have built over decades. According to the archbishop, those relations are founded on “mutual respect and theological cooperation.”

Particular attention was given to the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, which the participants described as a shared point of reference for the entire Christian world. In that context, they discussed the outcomes of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Nicaea and Turkey, emphasizing the importance of the common Christian heritage in the process of “restoring unity.”

The two sides noted that recent exchanges of official delegations during celebrations of the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul had reaffirmed the continuing relevance of efforts toward unity.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants agreed to continue active cooperation. They reaffirmed the determination of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Vatican to strengthen their “common witness” and develop relations in a spirit of “fraternity” despite current international challenges.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Archdiocese of the Phanar in the United States attempted to disrupt meetings held in support of the UOC.

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