A special moment in the inter-Christian dialogue was recorded today at the Vatican, during the meeting between Archbishop Elpidophorus of America and Pope Leo XIV. The meeting took place in the context of a pilgrimage journey linking three stations-symbols of Christian history: Rome, Constantinople, and Nice.

– The ancient cities of Rome, Constantinople, and Nicaea.
Addressing the Pontiff, Archbishop Elpidophoros referred not only to the geographical route of the pilgrimage but also to its profound spiritual dimension. As he said, “We stood before the Holiness of Pope Leo XIV as pilgrims, traversing together not only the holy pilgrimages of Rome, Constantinople, and Nice, but also the spiritual path of healing and reconciliation.”

In a move with powerful symbolism, the Archbishop chose to recall the words of Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras from his 1964 meeting with Pope Paul VI in Jerusalem – one of the most defining moments in the process of rapprochement between Orthodox and Catholics:

“May this meeting be the dawn of that blessed and bright day when future generations, partaking of the same cup, will partake of the Holy Body and the Holy Blood of our Saviour, and in love, peace, and unity will praise and glorify Him – the one Lord and Saviour of the world.”