Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday met with members of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), reaffirming the importance of dialogue among Christian communities across Europe. The gathering followed the signing of the new Charta Oecumenica at Rome’s Abbey of the Three Fountains, a document that strengthens ecumenical collaboration across the continent.
In his address, the Pope highlighted that the revised Charta, signed a quarter-century after the original Ecumenical Charter, seeks to accompany Europe’s evolving Christian journey while addressing contemporary challenges in proclaiming the Gospel. He noted that Europe has witnessed the emergence of new generations alongside arrivals from distant lands, each bringing diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences.
“While there are encouraging signs of growth in certain regions, many Christian communities increasingly feel like a minority,” Pope Leo observed. He urged Churches to remain attentive to new voices and stories, fostering dialogue and fraternity even amid “the din of violence and war.”
The Pope emphasized that divine grace, mercy, and peace are essential in guiding Christians to proclaim Christ effectively in challenging contexts. “God speaks to and through His holy people,” he said, calling the Charta Oecumenica a testament to the Churches’ willingness in Europe to reflect on their shared history through the eyes of Christ.
He further noted that the Holy Spirit guides Christians to recognize both the successes and shortcomings in their collective mission to spread the Gospel. “The Charta not only proposes methods but also identifies companions for the journey and potential paths forward,” the Pope explained, urging communities to remain receptive to the Spirit’s guidance and surprises.
Linking the Church’s ecumenical mission to its synodal journey, Pope Leo pointed out that the Charta encourages Christians to listen to one another and discern together the most effective ways to preach the Gospel. “One notable outcome of revising the Charta has been the ability to reach a shared understanding of contemporary challenges and set priorities for Europe’s future, while maintaining a steadfast belief in the enduring relevance of the Gospel,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Pope spoke of his forthcoming visit to the historic site of the Council of Nicaea, where he will pray alongside leaders of other Christian communities. “In this Jubilee Year,” he added, “I wish to proclaim to all Europeans that ‘Jesus Christ is our Hope,’ for He is both the path we follow and the ultimate destination of our spiritual journey.”