Istanbul: In a landmark moment for global Christianity, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I signed a powerful Joint Declaration on Saturday at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, reaffirming their shared commitment to full Christian unity and delivering a firm, united condemnation of any attempt to use religion as a justification for violence.
The signing came during the Pope’s third day in Türkiye, following a solemn Doxology prayed alongside the Patriarch. The declaration opened with words from the Psalms “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” setting the tone for a message grounded in fraternity, hope, and fidelity to the Gospel.
At the heart of the declaration is an uncompromising rejection of any effort to use faith to legitimize aggression.
“We reject any use of religion and the name of God to justify violence,” the leaders stated, calling on the global community to recognize the sacred obligation of peace in a world wounded by war.
Noting that “conflict and violence continue to devastate the lives of countless people,” both leaders appealed to political authorities to take “every possible step” to end wars raging across regions. They urged all people of goodwill to join in working toward peace.
Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew renewed their dedication to walking the path toward restored full communion, stressing that unity is not a product of diplomacy but the fruit of obedience to Christ’s prayer: “that they may all be one.”
The declaration invited clergy, religious, and lay faithful across Christian traditions to pray and labour for unity “in love and in truth,” underscoring that Christian divisions weaken the power of their witness in the world.
Signed just one day after commemorations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, the declaration described the historic council as “a providential event of unity.”
The leaders emphasized that Christians remain bound together by the Nicene Creed’s core confession: Jesus Christ, “true God from true God… who became incarnate, died, rose again, and will come in glory.”
This shared foundation, they wrote, equips the Churches to face contemporary challenges with mutual respect and authentic hope.
Highlighting the fact that all Christians celebrated Easter on the same date this year, Pope Leo and the Patriarch called this convergence “a gift of divine providence.”
They signalled their readiness to continue discerning a path toward celebrating Easter together annually, praying for wisdom and openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
The declaration also commemorated the 60th anniversary of the historic 1965 agreement between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras that lifted the mutual excommunications of 1054.
Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew gave thanks for that “decisive gesture,” which laid the groundwork for the modern era of Catholic–Orthodox dialogue.
They encouraged those who remain hesitant about ecumenical efforts to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who calls Christians to be witnesses of reconciliation.
Reaffirming their strong support for the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue, the leaders noted that the Commission is currently addressing issues long seen as core points of division.
They urged increased collaboration in prayer, pastoral outreach, and areas of common humanitarian concern, calling on the faithful to embrace progress with gratitude and determination.
The Pope and the Patriarch reiterated that authentic interreligious dialogue is essential for peaceful coexistence, not a source of confusion.
Recalling the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, they urged all people to reject “indifference, domination, greed, and xenophobia,” and to work together to build a just, compassionate, and sustainable world.
Despite immense global suffering, the declaration closes with a message of unwavering Christian hope.
“God will not abandon humanity,” they wrote, affirming that the Holy Spirit continues to sustain believers and guide them toward unity and peace.
Entrusting the poor, the lonely, the sick, and all those in distress to God’s mercy, Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew prayed that “their hearts may be encouraged, as they are knit together in love.”
Signed on the eve of the Feast of Saint Andrew patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate the declaration stands as a profound testament to the shared mission of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church: to bear witness to peace, reconciliation, and the Gospel in a torn and troubled world.