Pope Francis met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Tuesday, September 17, with the two religious leaders having lunch together at the Casa Santa Marta.

The meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch was held in “a fraternal atmosphere”, according to a communiqué from the Holy See Press Office.

Pope Francis and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople also had lunch together at the Casa Santa Marta with their respective delegations.

The Council of Cardinals is holding its 31st meeting, and the Secretary, Bishop Marcello Semeraro, invited the Patriarch to greet participants ahead of his encounter with the Pope.The Council is studying the plans for reforming the Apostolic Constitution “Pastor Bonus” on the Roman Curia.

The meeting began on Tuesday, September 17 and concludes on Thursday, September 19.

In his brief remarks, Patriarch Bartholomew talked about the value placed on synodality in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

He then assured the cardinals of his prayers.