“May the journey towards the celebration of the second millennium of the Redemption, in 2033, be undertaken together by all the Christian denominations of the world, rediscovering the gift and the call to be witnesses to the Risen One.” Pope Leo XIV said this on Tuesday at the Vatican to the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.
Expressing his delight at welcoming them following the feast day, Pope Leo said their presence “expresses the fraternal closeness of our sister Church in Constantinople and of its shepherd and guide, His All Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch.”
Common desire to progress toward full unity
He said he was deeply grateful to the Ecumenical Patriarch and all the members of the Holy Synod for sending the delegation to Rome to continue the traditional exchange of visits on the feasts of the patron saints of their respective Churches.
He remembered with joy participating last year in the Feast of Saint Andrew at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar.
He also recalled with gratitude his meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, which further deepened their mutual friendship and enabled greater sharing of views on numerous issues, “above all our common desire to make progress on the path towards full unity amongst all Christians.”
Commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea
In this regard, the Pope observed that the commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, held on the eve of the Feast of Saint Andrew in İznik, offered “an eloquent testimony to the communion that already exists amongst those who share faith in God, the Father of all, and who believe in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit, who inspires us and leads us to the fullness of truth and unity.”
“That commemorative event,” Pope Leo underscored, “made clear that the Nicene Creed must be the foundation and guiding principle of this ecumenical journey, offering the model of true unity within legitimate diversity: Unity in the Trinity, Trinity in Unity.”
Christians called to be credible sign of peace
“In an age marked by wars and growing polarization, as well as cultural and social divisions,” the Holy Father underscored, “Christians—reconciled amongst themselves and united in their profession of the one faith—are called to be a credible sign of peace, making a decisive contribution to the efforts of all men and women of good will to build peace.”
Moreover, in the current situation, he said, “it is not only the credibility of the Christian message that is at stake, but the very future of humanity.”
The Pope stressed that “the need for greater cooperation amongst Christians in the face of today’s challenges—which include peace, the proper use of new technologies, and care for creation—stems from the Gospel of Jesus Christ itself.”
Responsibility to safeguard life and dignity of each person
Indeed, he noted,” our responsibility for the life and dignity of every human being, beginning with the youngest and most needy, is the criterion that will determine our present and eternal destiny.”
Drawing his remarks to a close, Pope Leo again expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the visit, as well as for the personal commitment of the delegation and that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to promoting Christian unity.
“I assure you of my prayers,” he said, adding, “Through the intercession of the holy Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers in the flesh and in faith, may God our Father accompany us always with His blessing.”
Source: vaticannews.va
