Welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Floor Speech

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Mr. FETTERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew, to the United States.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the longest serving Archbishop of Constantinople in the two millennia history of Christianity. As the highest spiritual authority for nearly 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians, he has cosponsored international peace conferences; convened Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders to promote cooperation and mutual understanding; and advanced the cause of religious freedom around the world.

Environmental stewardship has been a consistent theme of His All Holiness's ministry. In honor of this commitment, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize.

I am proud to join faith leaders from across Pennsylvania in welcoming His All Holiness to the United States and extend my heartfelt congratulations on this momentous achievement.

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