Pope Leo XIV addressed representatives from various Churches, Ecclesial Communities, and other religions. The Pope expressed gratitude for their presence and prayers, highlighting their importance. He emphasized the importance of universal fraternity, building upon the work of Pope Francis. The Pope highlighted the significance of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and the shared Creed. He stated his priority is to seek the re-establishment of full communion among Christians.
6 months ago
Pope Leo XIV delivered an address to representatives of other Churches, Ecclesial Communities, and various religions following the inaugural celebration of his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter 1. He expressed profound gratitude for their presence and prayers, specifically acknowledging His All Holiness Bartholomew, His Beatitude Theophilos III, and His Holiness Mar Awa III 1.
A central theme of Pope Leo XIV's address was the continuation of Pope Francis's emphasis on universal fraternity, the ecumenical path, and interreligious dialogue 1. Pope Leo XIV praised Pope Francis for advancing these initiatives, particularly by cultivating interpersonal relations and valuing the human aspect of encounters 1. He highlighted Pope Francis's promotion of a "culture of dialogue," "mutual collaboration," and "reciprocal understanding" as foundational principles for interreligious engagement 1.
Pope Leo XIV declared that re-establishing full and visible communion among all Christians who profess the same faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one of his priorities 1. This commitment is underscored by his episcopal motto, "In Illo uno unum" (in the One, we are one), an expression from Saint Augustine, emphasizing unity in Christ 1. He noted that his election occurred during the 1700th anniversary year of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, a milestone in the formulation of the shared Creed, reinforcing the goal of unity in faith 1. The Pope also stressed the close link between synodality and ecumenism, affirming his intention to continue promoting synodal forms in both the Catholic Church and ecumenical relations 1.
The Pope extended the spirit of human fraternity to all religious traditions, emphasizing the current need for dialogue and bridge-building 1. He specifically greeted Jewish and Muslim communities, acknowledging Christianity's special relationship with Judaism due to its roots, and highlighting the shared spiritual heritage 1. He affirmed the ongoing importance of theological dialogue with Jews, even amidst conflicts 1. Relations with Muslims were noted for their growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity, based on mutual respect and freedom of conscience 1. Pope Leo XIV expressed conviction that religious communities, free from ideological and political conditioning, can collectively advocate for peace, disarmament, and integral development, opposing war and the arms race 1.
How does the Church pursue Christian unity?
The Catholic Church pursues Christian unity through a multifaceted approach rooted in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, particularly the Decree Unitatis Redintegratio . This pursuit is seen as a duty of the Christian conscience, enlightened by faith and guided by love, with its divine source in the Trinitarian unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit .
The Church's efforts to achieve Christian unity involve several key elements:
A fundamental aspect of the ecumenical movement is spiritual ecumenism, which emphasizes conversion of heart, prayer, and holiness of life . The commitment to ecumenism must be based on the conversion of hearts and prayer, which also leads to the necessary purification of past memories . Prayer for unity is not limited to specific times, such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, but should be an integral part of the prayer life of all Christians .
The Second Vatican Council gave new impetus to the ecumenical movement by stressing the importance of dialogue among Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit . This dialogue of truth, preceded and accompanied by a dialogue of charity, aims to overcome obstacles and resentments that may still exist . Dialogue helps Christians learn from one another and delve more deeply into the truth, always remaining open to the Spirit's guidance .
The Church encourages undertaking common projects while respecting the activities of various Christian denominations . Collaboration and common witness are seen as ways to build on the existing, though imperfect, communion among Christians and work towards perfect unity in faith .
The Catholic Church recognizes that those who believe in Christ and are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are truly brothers and sisters in Christ . Through baptism, they are incorporated into Christ and reborn to a sharing of divine life . The Council acknowledged that other Christian communities possess many essential elements Christ wills for His Church and are used by the Spirit as "means of salvation," thus having a real, though incomplete, communion with the Catholic Church .
The unity that Christ desires for His Church is brought about through the faithful preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles and their successors (Bishops with Peter's successor at their head), through their administering the sacraments, and through their governing in love . This unity is characterized by the confession of one faith, the common celebration of divine worship, and the fraternal harmony of the family of God .
The lack of unity among Christians is recognized as an obstacle to a more effective proclamation of the Gospel, as it endangers credibility . While fundamental truths of faith unite Christians more than they divide them, remaining divisions, including those concerning practical and ethical issues, can cause confusion and undermine the ability to transmit Christ's saving word . The Church acknowledges that Christian division makes it more difficult for the Church herself to express her full catholicity in actual life .
The ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement is the full visible communion of all Christians, which does not require sacrificing the rich diversity of spirituality, discipline, liturgical rites, and elaborations of revealed truth, provided this diversity remains faithful to the apostolic Tradition . The visible unity of the Church remains the constant goal of the ecumenical movement .