For the first time in history, the Lords of the Ecumenical Patriarchate traveled to Athens to participate in the 4th International Conference of Lords for Religious Freedom. The conference, held from May 26-28, 2024, focused on human rights, democracy, and religious freedom.
The keynote speaker on the second day was the 70th U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who emphasized the strong relationship he and his family have with the Orthodox community in the United States. He highlighted the personality of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom he visited in Istanbul despite the “mild reactions of Turkey, to put it diplomatically.”
Referring to the Russian Orthodox Church, he stated, “This war is not holy, it is not religious. It is a war of conquest. We must speak the language of truth, as the Ecumenical Patriarch did in 2019 when he granted the Tome of Autocephaly to the Ukrainians.”
Pompeo also recounted an incident when there was disagreement within the U.S. Department of State about issuing a statement on the matter. He shared, “Mike, it’s none of our business; it’s an internal ecclesiastical matter between Russia and Ukraine. But no. America had an obligation to do so. The U.S. continues to support Ukraine. And it is the government in Moscow, not Kyiv, that is using the Church to justify the war. Citizens deserve better than this.”
Regarding the conversion of the Chora Monastery into a mosque in Constantinople, he emphasized that it is a holy place, a historical site, and a unique UNESCO monument. “There is no reason to do this,” he stated, adding that this move is a challenge, and President Erdogan himself is a challenge: “This action reduces the freedom of Turkish citizens.” He also mentioned that the Trump administration had made it clear to Turkey that such a move is unacceptable, as it opposes the basic principles of the European Union, which Ankara wants to join, as well as the idea of its participation in NATO.
Meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
The former U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, according to diplomatic sources. It is worth noting that on September 29, 2020, Mr. Mitsotakis and his wife, Mareva, hosted the then-Secretary of State and his wife, Susan Pompeo, at their home in Chania. The two men discussed various topics, particularly developments in the U.S. and globally, and agreed to stay in touch.
