Pope Leo XIV: The Catholic Church strives for reconciliation and communion with the Orthodox Church
This was reported by Vatican News.
During this Saturday's audience, which was the first meeting of its kind since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the “profound communion already existing between us.” He noted that the traditional exchange of delegations on the feast days of Saints Peter and Andrew reflects the fraternal bond that united the apostles Peter and Andrew.
Recounting the steps taken to bring Rome and Constantinople closer together, Pope Leo expressed gratitude for the “courageous and far-sighted” steps taken by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. Their historic meeting in 1964 laid the foundations for modern Catholic-Orthodox dialogue.
“After centuries of disagreements and misunderstanding, the resumption of genuine dialogue between the sister Churches of Rome and Constantinople was made possible through courageous and farsighted steps taken by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. Their venerable successors to the Sees of Rome and Constantinople have pursued with conviction the same path of reconciliation, thus further strengthening our close relations.”
The Pope particularly highlighted the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the funeral of Pope Francis, and again at the Mass that opened his pontificate.
“ I assure you of my desire to persevere in the effort to restore full visible communion between our Churches,” Pope Leo emphasized, stressing that such unity “can only come about, with God’s help, through a continued commitment to respectful listening and fraternal dialogue.”
Pope Leo expressed his openness to ideas and cooperation, stating, “I am open to any suggestions that you may offer in this regard, always in consultation with my brother Bishops of the Catholic Church who, each in his own way, share with me the responsibility for the complete and visible unity of the Church.”
At the end of his speech, the Pope sincerely thanked the delegation for their presence in Rome and asked them to convey his greetings and gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
