In a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The Pope says he is open to suggestions toward the restoration of full communion.
Newsroom, June 30, 2025, Gaudium Press – In a significant gesture toward Christian unity, Pope Leo XIV welcomed a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on June 28, 2025, expressing his openness to proposals for restoring full communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The meeting, held during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, underscored the ongoing dialogue between Rome and Constantinople, two historic centers of Christianity.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the progress made since the groundbreaking efforts of Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, who initiated a thaw in relations between the two Churches in the 20th century. “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,” the Pontiff said, speaking to the delegation led by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, president of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Synodal Commission for Relations with the Catholic Church.
The Pope emphasized his commitment to advancing ecumenical efforts, stating, “I assure you of my desire to persevere in the effort to restore full visible communion between our Churches.” He stressed that achieving this goal requires “respectful listening and fraternal dialogue” and invited suggestions from the Orthodox delegation, noting that such proposals would be considered in consultation with his fellow Catholic bishops, who share responsibility for fostering Church unity.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew since 1991, holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches. The annual exchange of delegations between Rome and Constantinople—Vatican representatives visit Istanbul for the Feast of St. Andrew, the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s patronal feast—symbolizes the deepening ties between the two traditions. Pope Leo XIV highlighted this tradition as “a sign of the profound communion already existing between us” and a reflection of the bond between the apostles Peter and Andrew.
The Pope also acknowledged the personal contributions of Patriarch Bartholomew, noting his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis and the Mass inaugurating Leo XIV’s pontificate. These gestures, he said, exemplify the growing closeness between the two Churches.
In closing, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the delegation’s presence and extended cordial greetings to Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod. He invoked the intercession of Saints Peter, Paul, Andrew, and the Virgin Mary to guide the ongoing journey toward unity, emphasizing the shared mission of serving the Gospel.
The address marks a renewed commitment to ecumenical dialogue at a time when global Christianity faces challenges of division and secularization. Observers note that Pope Leo XIV’s openness to Orthodox input could pave the way for concrete steps toward reconciliation, though significant theological and structural hurdles remain.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CWN and vatican.va
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