Bartholomew gave this interview in view of his meetings with Pope Francis, on May 25-26 in Jerusalem. The meetings between the two church leaders will commemorate the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras which took place 40 years ago. This was the first encounter between a pope and Orthodox patriarch in more than 500 years and contributed significantly to the reconciliation of the two sides.

In the interview, Mr. Bartholomew recognizes that the conditions for the Patriarchate have improved in the last years, but he adds that “this is not enough”. Asked about Erdogan’s demands for the reopening of Halki, which involve reciprocal measures from neighboring Greece such as the opening of a mosque in Athens, the Patriarch answered that he is “in favor of a mosque and even more mosques where there are Muslims, in order to give them the possibility to pray according to their own faith”. However he clarified that it is not his responsibility to make this happen. “The issue is not about Greek law, it is about Turkey’s responsibility to protect religious freedom. I am a Turkish citizen and I was born here. I served in the Turkish army for two years,” Bartholomew said and went on to add: “I want my full rights as a Turkish citizen and not only for myself but for my church and my community.”
Referring to his meeting with the Pope, the Patriarch said that both sides are willing to end the divide.