Vatican City: On the feast of Saint Andrew, Pope Francis conveyed his heartfelt greetings to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, underscoring the importance of persistent prayers and collaboration for “the gift of unity” among Christians. The Pope emphasized that their shared fraternity and witness could serve as an inspiring model in a world deeply scarred by conflict and violence.
Continuing a cherished tradition, Pope Francis dispatched a delegation to Istanbul in honor of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Constantinople. This annual exchange of delegations marks the respective patronal feasts of the Holy See and the Patriarchate: Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 in Rome, and Saint Andrew on November 30 in Istanbul. The Pope’s message, delivered by his representatives, reaffirmed his “fraternal affection” for Patriarch Bartholomew I and the shared commitment to unity.
In his communication, Pope Francis emphasized that open dialogue, free from condemnation, is the cornerstone for strengthening ties between Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He expressed hope that the forthcoming 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 2025 would provide a momentous opportunity to deepen these fraternal relations, built steadily over the past 60 years.
Reflecting on the progress since the 1964 promulgation of the decree Unitatis Redintegratio, which marked the Catholic Church’s formal entry into the ecumenical movement, the Pope noted the profound fruit of “renewed fraternity” experienced between the Churches today. While acknowledging that full Eucharistic communion remains a distant goal due to centuries-old divisions, Pope Francis stressed the importance of remaining steadfast in hope and committed to achieving this unity within a “reasonable time” in history.
The Pope drew attention to the Catholic Church’s “irreversible commitment” to dialogue, reinforced during the recent Synod on Synodality. He highlighted how participants from diverse backgrounds engaged in mutual listening without judgment, a practice he encouraged Catholics and Orthodox to adopt on their shared journey toward unity.
As he concluded, Pope Francis expressed confidence that the celebrations in 2025 commemorating the First Council of Nicaea would not only fortify the bonds between the Churches but also inspire renewed testimony in a fractured world. He reiterated that the lived fraternity and shared witness of Christians could stand as a beacon for peace in a world “plagued by war and violence.”
In his closing thoughts, the Pope renewed his fervent prayers for peace in conflict-stricken regions, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and others, referencing his description of the global landscape as a "piecemeal world war."
The Vatican delegation, led by Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, presented the Pope’s message to Patriarch Bartholomew on Saturday at the Phanar, following the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. The delegation also included Monsignor Flavio Pace, Monsignor Andrea Palmieri, and Archbishop Marek Solczyński, Apostolic Nuncio to Türkiye.