Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Honored by the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences

With great solemnity, the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, in a special ceremony at noon on Monday, March 30, 2026, proclaimed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as its foreign partner. The event was attended by Academy members, numerous official guests, and distinguished figures from French society and abroad.

The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from the President of the Academy, Jean-David Levitte, followed by a presentation highlighting the work and character of the honoree, delivered by Mr. Thierry de Montbrial, member of the Academy.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew then addressed the audience in French, speaking about his predecessor in the Academy chair, the Blessed Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), with particular focus on his life, theology, and contributions. His remarks were met with enthusiastic applause.

Following this, the Vice President of the Academy, Archbishop Haim Korsia of France, and Roman Catholic Archbishop Luc Ravel presented His Holiness with the Academy’s gift commemorating his admission—a two-volume edition of the 1675 works of St. Maximus the Confessor. A reception subsequently took place at the Maison of the Institut de France.

Meetings with the President and Prime Minister of France

Later that afternoon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held a cordial meeting with the Prime Minister of France, Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, at the Hôtel de Matignon. The Prime Minister congratulated His Holiness on the honorary distinction from the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, and the Patriarch expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s interest in the affairs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Holy Metropolis of France.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, and other associates of the Prime Minister. From the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarch’s accompanying mission team was present.

Earlier that day, Patriarch Bartholomew had an official 50-minute meeting with the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace. During the meeting, His Holiness received the President’s congratulations on his formal admission as a foreign partner of the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. He thanked the President for the honorary invitation and expressed hope that the French people would continue contributing to the global intellectual community and the pursuit of peace and justice worldwide.

It is noted that President Macron had signed the decree ratifying the Patriarch’s election to the Academy on April 28, 2025. The meeting was attended, on behalf of the French Presidency, by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and other presidential associates. From the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bishops Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Demetrios of France, as well as His Eminence Aetios, Director of the Patriarch’s Private Office, were present. Military honors were rendered both upon the Patriarch’s arrival and departure from the Élysée Palace.

Meeting with the Director-General of UNESCO

At noon on Monday, March 30, the Ecumenical Patriarch also met with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany at the organization’s headquarters in Paris. The meeting included Bishops Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Demetrios of France, Hierarch Aetios, Director of the Patriarch’s Private Office, and the Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO, Georgios Koumoutsakos.

Following the meeting, Mr. Koumoutsakos hosted a reception in honor of His Holiness at the UNESCO Palace, attended by numerous Permanent Representatives of member states and other dignitaries.