Archbishop Georgios to visit the Vatican in October

Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus will pay an official visit to the Vatican from October 19 to 21 to meet with Pope Leo XIV. During this visit, the two religious leaders will discuss various ecclesiastical matters, the ongoing dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Cypriot Orthodox Churches, and seek the Vatican's assistance regarding the national issue of Cyprus.

A key highlight of the upcoming mission is the planned relocation of the holy skull of the Apostle Paul to Cyprus. Archbishop Georgios confirmed that this will be the first time in history that the sacred relic will be removed from the Vatican. Beyond the meetings, the Archbishop is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the University of Rome concerning the ecclesiastical institutions of the Church of Cyprus.

The initiative aims to strengthen ties between the two entities, leveraging the Vatican's global diplomatic network. Historically, the Vatican has supported Cyprus, including assisting in the repatriation of stolen holy icons. Theologically, the visit is viewed as a significant development, recognizing the Vatican’s influence as both a sovereign state and a major religious authority with a historical presence in Cyprus through its Maronite and Latin communities.