Head of Phanar to Dumenko: Now Pope Francis is closer to you

On January 27, 2023, during the visit of the head of the OCU, Epifaniy Dumenko, to the Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew said that now Pope Francis had become closer to the OCU and Ukraine, reports orthodoxtimes.com.

“This time you came to us from Elder Rome, here to New Rome. We are pleased that you have had the opportunity to inform Pope Francis firsthand about what is happening in Ukraine. We hope that after your briefing at the Vatican, you personally and the other representatives of the religious communities of Ukraine, Pope Francis will have a clearer attitude towards the war in Ukraine. And putting aside political and diplomatic balances will be closer to you and will affect in favor of Ukraine many Roman Catholic countries, in which his word is heard,” said the head of the Phanar.

“We assure you of our closeness to you and our readiness to do our best to alleviate your pain and the agony your people are experiencing,” he added.

Earlier in the morning, Patriarch Bartholomew attended the Divine Liturgy in honor of the transfer of the relics of St. John Chrysostom at the Patriarchal Church of St. George on the Phanar, which was "led" by Epifaniy Dumenko.

As the UOJ reported earlier, Dumenko paid a visit to Phanar.