Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meets with President Donald Trump

On September 15, 2025 His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

According to the Ecumenical Patriarch, the meeting took place in a “warm, cordial,” and “sincere” atmosphere.

“We discussed issues that concern us, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the few remaining Christians in Turkey, the difficulties they face, the persecutions — but also the fact that, despite everything, we are surviving and continuing our mission,” the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told journalists gathered in the conference hall of a nearby hotel.

His Holiness also discussed with President Trump the permanent closure of the Theological School of Halki. Both expressed hope that “the dialogue begun with the current government will yield positive results.”

In addition to Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the meeting with President Trump was also attended by Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, Metropolitan Maximos of Seleucia, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, former White House Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios, and member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board Reince Priebus.

In his remarks to the press, the Ecumenical Patriarch outlined the upcoming schedule for his apostolic visit to the United States.

“In the coming days we will have other meetings — here in Washington, and then in New York. We will receive the Templeton Prize — one of the world’s most prestigious awards in the field of religion and spirituality,” His Holiness said. The Ecumenical Patriarch will also visit several universities in New York.

“We will speak with students and professors, meet with the Greek-American community, celebrate the Liturgy, pray together, and glorify the name of God,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said.

Article by Corinna Robinson and Salvatore Ambrosino

Photos: Archons/Orthodox Observer/J. Mindala and Brittany Newman, Dimitrios Panagos