An Orthodox view of Pope and Patriarch's Turkish encounter

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis’ visit to Turkey, which concluded on Sunday, came exactly 35 years after the setting up of a joint international commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The principle purpose of the three day visit was to celebrate the feast of St Andrew together with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 1st, spiritual leader of the Orthodox world.

Following the Pope’s latest encounter with the Patriarch in Istanbul, and the signing of a joint declaration, many observers are asking how much this successful papal visit can influence the painstaking work of the theological commission.

Archdeacon Dr John Chryssavgis is theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and served as media coordinator during the Pope’s visit to Turkey. On the final day of the trip Philippa Hitchen talked with him about the long term consequences of this important ecumenical encounter…

Listen: