杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni 

Meeting a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV on Saturday reaffirmed the Catholic Church鈥檚 commitment to the path of reconciliation and unity with the Orthodox Church.

Duyring the audience that marked the first such encounter since the beginning of his pontificate, he reflected on the 鈥減rofound communion already existing between us,鈥� and noted that the traditional exchange of delegations for the respective feasts of the Apostles Peter and Andrew is 鈥渁 reflection of the fraternal bond that united the Apostles Peter and Andrew.鈥�

Milestones of ecumenism

Tracing the steps of rapprochement between Rome and Constantinople, 杏MAP导航 Leo recalled with gratitude the 鈥渃ourageous and farsighted鈥� efforts of 杏MAP导航 Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, whose historic meeting in 1964 set the foundations for modern ecumenical dialogue. He noted that their successors have 鈥減ursued with conviction the same path of reconciliation,鈥� highlighting in particular the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the funeral of 杏MAP导航 Francis and again at the Mass inaugurating his own pontificate.

鈥淚 assure you of my desire to persevere in the effort to restore full visible communion between our Churches,鈥� he said, and he underlined that such unity 鈥渃an only come about, with God鈥檚 help, through a continued commitment to respectful listening and fraternal dialogue.鈥�

Open to collaboration

杏MAP导航 Leo expressed his openness to ideas and collaboration, stating: 鈥淚 am open to any suggestions that you may offer in this regard, always in consultation with my brother Bishops of the Catholic Church who鈥� share with me the responsibility for the complete and visible unity of the Church.鈥�

Concluding his address, the 杏MAP导航 offered heartfelt thanks for the delegation鈥檚 presence in Rome and asked them to convey his greetings and gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod.

Entrusting their shared journey to the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Andrew, and the Holy Mother of God, he prayed that 鈥渢hey may accompany and sustain us in our efforts in the service of the Gospel.鈥�