In the context of the traditional exchange of delegations for the respective feasts of their Patron Saints, on 29 June in Rome for the celebration of Saints Peter and Paul and on 30 November in Istanbul for the celebration of Saint Andrew, Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity led the Holy See delegation for the feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Cardinal Koch was accompanied by Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Dicastery, and by Msgr. Andrea Palmieri, undersecretary. In Istanbul, Msgr. Walter Erbi, interim chargé d'Affaires of the apostolic nunciature in Turkey, joined the delegation.

The Holy See Delegation took part in the solemn Divine Liturgy presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar. Cardinal Koch presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with a handwritten message from the Holy Father, which he read out publicly at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.