Rome: Pope Leo XIV has praised the newly signed Charta Oecumenica as a milestone in the ecumenical journey of European Churches, emphasizing the importance of listening, dialogue, and unity in proclaiming the Gospel in today’s complex and diverse social landscape. The Pope met on Thursday with members of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) to discuss the renewed framework for Christian cooperation across the continent.
The audience took place just one day after representatives of Christian Churches in Europe signed the updated Charta Oecumenica at Rome’s historic Abbey of the Three Fountains. This new charter, signed 25 years after the original document, seeks to guide European Churches in responding effectively to contemporary challenges while deepening mutual understanding and collaboration.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV noted that Europe today is a continent marked by evolving demographics, with new generations and migrants from distant lands enriching its cultural and religious tapestry. “While we witness encouraging growth in some regions, many Christian communities feel themselves increasingly in the minority,” he observed.
The Pope stressed that European Churches must be attentive to new voices and stories to foster dialogue, fraternity, and solidarity, particularly amid the turbulence of modern society marked by violence and conflict. “The grace, mercy, and peace of the Lord are essential,” he said, “for it is only through divine assistance that we can discern the most convincing ways to proclaim Christ in these challenging times.”
Pope Leo highlighted that God speaks through His people, and the Charta Oecumenica bears witness to the willingness of Churches in Europe to examine history and faith through the lens of Christ. “The Holy Spirit guides us to recognize both our successes in proclaiming the Gospel together and our moments of shortfall,” he said.
The Pope described the Charta not merely as a procedural guide but as a companion for the ecumenical journey. It offers both methods and pathways forward while encouraging openness to the surprises and promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Leo XIV further connected the principles of the Charta to the Catholic Church’s synodal journey, emphasizing that listening, discernment, and shared decision-making are central to both movements. “One of the key achievements of revising the Charta has been the capacity to collectively assess contemporary challenges, establish priorities for Europe’s future, and reaffirm the enduring relevance of the Gospel,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the Pope recalled his upcoming visit to the site of the historic Council of Nicaea in 325, where he plans to pray alongside leaders of other Christian communities. “In this Jubilee Year,” he said, “I wish to proclaim to all the people of Europe that ‘Jesus Christ is our Hope,’ for He is both the path we are called to follow and the ultimate destination of our spiritual journey.”
The new Charta Oecumenica stands as a renewed testament to the shared commitment of European Christians to walk together, listen to one another, and witness the Gospel amid the continent’s evolving cultural and social landscape.