Within the framework of the traditional exchange of delegations for the respective feasts of the patron saints – 29 June in Rome for the celebration of Saints Peter and Paul, and 30 November in Istanbul for the celebration of Saint Andrew –the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate led by the Archbishop of Telmissos, Job, co-chair of the international mixed commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, accompanied by the bishop of Nazianzos, Theodoretos, and the deacon Alexander Koutsis, arrived in Rome yesterday.

During the day yesterday, Wednesday 27 June, the delegation met at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity for the usual conversations; this morning, Thursday 28 June, the delegation was received in audience by the Holy Father Francis, and in the afternoon it will attend the Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinals; tomorrow, Friday 29 June, it will attend the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Holy Father.