Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I has called for the creation of a churches' umbrella body in Europe to include Catholics alongside Anglicans, Orthodox and Protestants.

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.

Pope Benedict XVI and the Orthodox ecumenical patriarch Bartholemew are seeking to put differences aside in order to encourage a growing global vision of Christian unity in a divided world, using St Paul as an exemplar.

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.