Greek Orthodox patriarch to stage first visit to pope's inaugural Mass in 1,000 years

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

This Oct 27, 2011, file photo shows Patriarch Bartholomew I and Pope Benedict XVI in front of the St Francis Basilica in Assisi, central Italy. AP Photo

Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I is set to attend Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass in Rome on March 19, in a historic, first-of-its-kind move since 1054, according to a statement released yesterday.

The patriarch will be accompanied by several other religious leaders including the metropolitan of Pergamon and metropolitan of Argentina.

The statement further highlighted the improvement of relations between Catholics and Orthodox and defined the visit as a “historic development.”

Pope Francis was chosen as the new pope on March 13 after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned.

The Fener Greek Patriarchate is accepted as an ecumenical and universal entity by Orthodoxies all around the world; however, Turkey does not recognize its ecumenical title.

Turkish Deputy PM Bekir Bozdağ is expected to attend Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass.