Pompeo's visit to Istanbul's Orthodox patriarch is 'historical', Metropolitan of France says

Record ID: 1907534

  • Title: Pompeo's visit to Istanbul's Orthodox patriarch is 'historical', Metropolitan of France says
  • Date: 17th November 2020
  • Summary: Pompeo's visit to Istanbul's Orthodox patriarch is 'historical', Metropolitan of France says SHOTLIST: 1. METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL ADAMAKIS OF FRANCE SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS OUTSIDE PATRIARCHATE IN ISTANBUL 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL ADAMAKIS OF FRANCE SAYING: "This historical visit of the secretary of state Mr. Mike Pompeo to the ecumenical patriarchate and the meeting that he had with his holiness of the ecumenical patriarchate Bartholomew." 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL ADAMAKIS OF FRANCE SAYING: "As a Secretary of State of a great country, the United State, he has a very important role. And also we are very happy, his holiness is happy to receive him [...]" 4. JOURNALIST ASKING WHETHER STATUS OF HAGIA SOPHIA WAS TALKED OR NOT / (SOUNDBITE) (English) METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL ADAMAKIS OF FRANCE SAYING: "The question was raised. It is not on us to make a statement. His holiness has already mentioned many times. He has expressed the views and sorrow of the ecumenical patriarchate for this political decision, but we did not make any statements, especially today, on that." 5. METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL ADAMAKIS OF FRANCE THANKING JOURNALISTS ISTANBUL, TURKEY (NOV. 17, 2020) (AAVN - ACCESS ALL) SCRIPT The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Istanbul Bartholomew I on Tuesday, Nov. 17. His meeting with the patriarch took place in the Patriarchate in the Fatih district of Istanbul and lasted around 80 minutes behind closed doors. After the meeting, Pompeo tweeted that : "Honored to meet with His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and to visit the Patriarchal Church of St. George today. As leader of the Orthodox world, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a key partner as we continue to champion religious freedom around the globe." Meanwhile, Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of France answered the questions of journalists in front of the Patriarchate. Adamakis described the meeting as "a historical visit" and said they are "very happy" to receive Pompeo. On a Turkish court's decision that has converted the Hagia Sophia back to a mosque, Adamakis said the issue was raised during the meeting, explaning: "The question was raised... It is not on us to make a statement. His holiness has already mentioned many times. He has expressed the views and sorrow of the ecumenical patriarchate for this political decision, but we did not make any statements, especially today, on that." Meanwhile, accompanied by a delegation that included his wife Susan Pompeo and US Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield, Pompeo also visited the St. George’s Cathedral, where he lit a candle. After that, Pompeo and the accompanying delegation visited historical Rustem Pasha Mosque in the Eminonu district. "Moved by the breathtaking beauty of the Rustem Pasha Mosque. America’s commitment to religious freedom will not waver; all people must be permitted to practice their faith openly and freely, in places of worship like this," Pompeo tweeted that after his visits. Pompeo’s visit to Istanbul is part of his seven-nation tour that started Monday in France. His next stop will be Georgia.
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  • Copyright Holder: Anadolu Agency
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