On Monday afternoon, 22 April 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was formally received by the Prime Minister of France, Gabriel Attal, at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Matignon Residence.
During the 45-minute meeting, the French Prime Minister inquired about the Orthodox and inter-Christian initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate aimed at strengthening Christian unity, preserving the environment, and promoting peace in conflict-ridden areas. The Patriarch discussed the Church of Constantinople’s efforts in these areas and highlighted a new initiative with Pope Francis to jointly celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, Bithynia in 2025. He extended an invitation to Mr. Attal to attend the upcoming celebrations.
Present at the meeting were Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Deputy Minister of Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, along with representatives from the French Government and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A gift exchange took place following protocol. Additionally, the Prime Minister introduced his Orthodox Christian mother to the Ecumenical Patriarch to receive his blessing. After the meeting, official photographs were taken with the Prime Minister before he escorted the Patriarch to his vehicle.
Later that evening, the Ecumenical Patriarch and his entourage attended a formal dinner hosted by Laurent Ulrich, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Paris, at the Archdiocese Headquarters. The Archbishop welcomed the Patriarch, and they exchanged gifts as tokens of the visit.
Photographs: Florian DAVID / Matignon
