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Is it because the Orthodox wouldn't let him concelebrate, or because he couldn't even if they asked him to? I'm thinking of the last part of #1399 in the Catechism. What exactly is mean by "a certain communion in sacris, and so in the Eucharist"? Thanks.

An excellent question. You are right on both counts. Ordinarily, the Orthodox would not allow the Pope (or any other Catholic Bishop or Priest) to concelebrate with them, for the same reason the Pope cannot accept to concelebrate with them: we are not yet in communion and what that means is that we can't share from the same Sacrificed Meal until such communion exists and that will come to pass the day we solemnly agree that we hold a common faith.

The matter of communion in sacris means that the Catholic Church will not withhold the Eucharist from Orthodox Christians under ordinary circumstances -- meaning in the U.S., that if an Orthodox Christian joins the communion line at Mass, he will be given Holy Communion no questions asked. However, the individual Orthodox Christian must follow the directives of his own Orthodox jurisdiction, which ordinarily bans or discourages this kind of behavior from their faithful.

Under extraordinary circumstances -- as far as I understand it -- Catholics can receive the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Annoiting of the Sick, and Reconciliation from an Orthodox Priest and Orthodox Christians can receive the same sacraments from a Catholic priest, without having to request permission from local ordinaries of either Church. Once the extraordinary circumstance has passed, the more restrictive practice is to be reasserted.

I hope this helps.

-Theo