As leaders of dozens of religions gathered in Assisi for dialogue and prayers for peace, they honoured Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as an exemplar of one who is so deeply rooted in his own religious tradition that he can reach out to others without fear.
Jewish, Anglican and Catholic leaders paid tribute to Patriarch Bartholomew as he was about to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his enthronement as spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians. Pope Francis was scheduled to participate in a celebratory luncheon for the patriarch on September 20 in Assisi.
