Pope Leo met Monday morning with His Eminence Polycarpos, an Orthodox bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. He serves as the Metropolitan of Italy, meaning he is the senior Orthodox hierarch representing the Ecumenical Patriarch in Italy. In practical terms, Polycarpos oversees the Patriarchate’s Orthodox communities across Italy—especially Greek-speaking parishes, monasteries, clergy, and pastoral life—while also acting as a key public face of the Patriarchate in the country.