Ecumenical Patriarch's moving speech at the Institute of Oriental Studies from which he graduated in 1966translated

A.Th. Panagiotis the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in the morning, visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he left some flowers at the tomb of his friend the late Pope Francis. His Holiness was welcomed by the Cardinal Superior of the basilica Rev. Rolandas Makrickas, who showed him around the ancient church of the Eternal City.

The Ecumenical Patriarch prayed in front of the historic Byzantine icon of Our Lady of the Infant Salus Populi Romani, which is kept in the eponymous Chapel and is considered the patroness of Rome.

The Patriarch then walked to the nearby Institute of Oriental Studies of the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, from which he graduated in 1966.

He was received by President Osiol. Fr. Sunny Thomas Kokkaravalayil, together with Professors of the Institute, which, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Patriarch's election to the Ecumenical Throne and his visit to it today, organized a small exhibition about his journey from Imbro, to Halki, Rome and from there to the Ecumenical Throne.

In the great Hall of the School, in the presence of Cardinals,...