Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has made a return visit to the Lower Ninth Ward District of New Orleans, USA, to survey the restoration and recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had a private meeting with US President Barack Obama in the run up to Easter, touching on environmental concerns and issues about the future of Turkey.

Orthodox leader Bartholomew I of Constantinople has become the first ever Ecumenical Patriarch to speak to the General Assembly of the Synod of Catholic Bishops in Rome, following years of tension between the churches.

Churches should be prepared to confront their differences honestly and to examine them in the light scripture, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I told a service to celebrate 60 years since the World Council of Churches was founded.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I, seen by many of the world's Orthodox Christians as their spiritual leader, has issued a warning saying climate change, which threatens the survival of humanity, needs to be dealt with immediately.