The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, has tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement released on Facebook, the Patriarchate at Constantinople said the 81-year-old, who is fully vaccinated, is showing mild symptoms and his “general condition is good”.

His All-Holiness was diagnosed with the virus during regular tests made at the Phanar, a Greek Orthodox cathedral church in Istanbul on Christmas Eve.

After the diagnosis, he visited a hospital in the centre of Istanbul for further preventive examinations.

The statement continued: “The Ecumenical Patriarch thanks all those who express their interest in his state of health and paternally urges, once again, everyone to follow the recommendations of doctors and specialists, as well as those who have not yet been vaccinated, to do so for their own good and of society as a whole.”