IERONYMOS II VISITS WITH POPE FRANCIS ON EVE OF HIS RETURN TO ROME

The Orthodox Primate, Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, pays a courtesy visit to Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature to bid him farewell.

By Vatican News staff writer

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature just before 7 pm on Sunday evening to meet with Pope Francis on the eve of his return to Rome. The encounter between the Orthodox Archbishop and Pope Francis with their respective entourages took place in the Nunciature's main room and lasted 30 minutes.

Pope Francis receiving His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II at the Apostolic Nunciature

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II meets with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature

During the meeting the Pope and the Archbishop both signed the Book of Honour. Archbishop Ieronymos wrote: "This evening, 5 December 2021, Feast of Saint Sabbas, my entourage and I came to thank the Pontiff and our Most Holy Brother of Rome, Francis, for his visit to Greece. We bid him farewell and wish him a good journey. May the Most Holy God bless us."

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II and Pope Francis sign the Book of Honour

Afterwards, Pope Francis wrote: "With joy and peace I meet my beloved brother Ieronymos II. I thank him for his fraternal goodness, his meekness, his patience. May the Lord give us the grace to continue together our path of brotherhood and peace. I thank His Beatitude Ieronymos II for his generosity in helping us walk together. May the Lord bless our two sister Churches and the Most Holy Mother of God help us."

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II and Pope Francis during the exchnage of gifts

In an exchange of gifts, His Beatitude gave Pope Francis two books: one on the sorrowful history of the Greeks in Asia Minor at the beginning of the 20th century and the other on those who died during the Greek revolution. Also, on behalf of a priest, he brought the Pope an image of the Madonna with the Baby Jesus. Pope Francis gave His Beatitude the medallion for this journey and the book, Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, published by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV).

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II and Pope Francis with their entourages