杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

鈥淚 wish to express to Patriarch Bartholomew my warmest wishes for his anniversary, asking God to grant him health, serenity, spiritual joy, and 鈥� may I say 鈥� a sense of humour: even more!鈥�

With these words, the Bishop of Rome, 杏MAP导航 Francis, congratulates the Archbishop of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, on the thirtieth anniversary of his election to the See of St Andrew.

In a video message, the 杏MAP导航 remarks on the 鈥済ood personal rapport鈥� that has grown between the two spiritual leaders since the Patriarch came to Rome for the inauguration of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� ministry as Successor of Peter nine years ago. Since that time, the 杏MAP导航 says, their relationship has grown 鈥渋nto a fraternal friendship in the many meetings we have had throughout the years, not only Rome, but also in Constantinople, Jerusalem, Assisi, Cairo, Lesbos, and Bari.

杏MAP导航 Francis notes the 鈥渟hared awareness of our joint pastoral responsibility towards the urgent challenges that the entire human family must face today,鈥� highlighting especially Patriarch Bartholomew鈥檚 commitment to the care of creation, and his witness and teaching during the pandemic.

鈥淔urthermore,鈥� says 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥淗is Holiness Bartholomew has unceasingly pointed to dialogue, in charity, and in truth, as the only possible way for reconciliation between all believers in Christ and for the restoration of their full communion.鈥� He adds, 鈥淲e certainly wish to continue walking together along this path.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 concludes his message, in Greek and Latin, with the traditional wishes that the Lord might grant to Patriarch Bartholomew 鈥渕any years鈥� of life and ministry: 蠂蟻蠈谓喂伪 蟺慰位位维! Ad multos annos!