Ecumenical Patriarch for Pope Leo XIV: "We pray for his full recovery"translated

His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, welcoming to Fanari, on the afternoon of Thursday, October 15, 2026, a group of Franciscan Monks, who are participating in their 20th formation meeting for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue, which is organized by the International Franciscan Brotherhood in Turkey. Specifically, His Holiness, speaking in English, said:

"At this time, we wish to express our brotherly love and support, through prayer, to our dear Brother in Christ, His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. We were informed with deep concern of the diagnosis of cancer, but we thank God that he underwent a successful surgery. Together with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, we pray for his healing and full recovery, as well as for all those who they take care of him.

We look back with gratitude on his visit to Fanari last November, as well as our prayer together in Nicaea. We assure His Holiness of the proximity of the Ecumenical Patriarchate...