Pope Francis: RCC continues to pray for unity with the Orthodox

A Vatican delegation in the Phanar. Photo: Vatican News

On 1 December 2024, Pope Francis, in his message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, confirmed the "irreversible commitment" of the Catholic Church to pursue the path of ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Church, Vatican News reports.

"Living brotherhood and the testimony given by Christians can be a message for our world, which suffers from war and violence," said Pope Francis.

Speaking about the 60th anniversary of the decree “Unitatis redintegratio”, the Pontiff stated that "dialogue with the Orthodox Church remains particularly fruitful", but emphasized that full unity, manifested in shared Eucharist, has yet to be achieved. "Catholics and Orthodox must never stop praying and working for unity," he added.

Pope Francis also expressed hope for a joint celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 2025, stressing that this would be "another opportunity to strengthen the bonds" between Christians.

As in previous years, the Vatican delegation marked the Feast of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the Church of Constantinople, together with the Patriarch of Constantinople. The guests attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew at St. George's Cathedral in the Phanar.

As reported by the UOJ, the Pope said that he will visit Turkey for the 1700th anniversary of First Council of Nicaea.

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