Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Christian Affairs in Syria
On December 26, 2024, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara to discuss the situation of Christians in Syria. The Patriarch urged Erdoğan to use his influence to ensure the safety of Christians and other minorities in the region. Bartholomew also thanked Erdoğan for the re-opening of the Halki Theological School and requested expedited processes. The meeting touched on upcoming celebrations for the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea and the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to Turkey.