Pope Leo XIV welcomed Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Latin Catholic pilgrims participating in an ecumenical pilgrimage. The pilgrimage, led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, aims to visit Rome, Constantinople, and Nicea. Pope Leo highlighted the significance of the pilgrimage in restoring unity among Christians. The Pope mentioned the importance of the common celebration of Easter in 2025 for all Christians.
5 months ago
Pope Leo XIV recently met with a U.S. Orthodox-Catholic pilgrim group at his papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, emphasizing the pursuit of unity and fraternal charity among Christians 1 2 3 6. The Pope welcomed the 50-member group, composed of Greek Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Latin Catholic pilgrims, highlighting their journey as a significant step in the ecumenical movement 2 3 5 6. This pilgrimage, titled "From Rome to New Rome," is led by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey 2 3 5 6.
The pilgrimage is designed to "return to the sources" of Christian faith, with stops planned at significant historical and spiritual sites 2 3 5 6. These include Rome, where Saints Peter and Paul were martyred; Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), associated with Saint Andrew; and Nicea, the site of the First Ecumenical Council 2 3 5. The visit to Nicea is particularly timely, as 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of this pivotal council 2 3 6.
A central theme of Pope Leo XIV's address was the importance of Christian unity, which he described as a key focus of his pontificate 3 6. He noted the providential coincidence of all Christians celebrating Easter on the same date in 2025, allowing for a unified proclamation of "Christ is risen! He is truly risen!" 2 5. The Pope stressed that episcopal sees like Rome and Constantinople are called to pursue "fraternal charity" through the Holy Spirit, rather than vie for primacy 3 5 6.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the theological progress and dialogue of charity that have marked recent decades, particularly since the 1965 Joint Declaration by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, which removed the mutual excommunications of 1054 2 3 5 6. He remarked that such a joint pilgrimage would likely not have been possible before this historic act of reconciliation 3 5 6. The Pope also expressed his hope to meet Patriarch Bartholomew again during the ecumenical commemoration of the Council of Nicea's anniversary 2 3 5 6.
During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the pilgrims to be "witnesses and bearers of hope," aligning with the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year, "Pilgrims of Hope" 2 3 5 6. He also looked ahead to 2033, which will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's redemption 2 3 6. The Pope concluded his address by praying that the return to the roots of faith would bring God's consolation and enable all Christians to "pour out the oil of consolation and the wine of gladness on today’s humanity," like the Good Samaritan 2 5.
What is the Church's teaching on Christian unity?
The Catholic Church is committed to working for Christian unity, a commitment solemnly pledged at the Second Vatican Council . This pursuit of unity is considered one of the principal aims of the Council , and the Church embraces it as a duty of Christian conscience, enlightened by faith and guided by love .
The unity that Christ desires for His Church is brought about through the faithful preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles and their successors (the Bishops with Peter's successor at their head), through the administration of the sacraments, and through governing in love . This unity is defined as consisting of the "confession of one faith,... the common celebration of divine worship,... the fraternal harmony of the family of God" . The ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement is this full visible communion of all Christians .
The Council affirms that this unity does not require sacrificing the rich diversity of spirituality, discipline, liturgical rites, and elaborations of revealed truth that have developed among Christians, provided this diversity remains faithful to the apostolic Tradition . The movement toward unity is fostered by the grace of the Holy Spirit , and it is a response to God's will .
The Second Vatican Council gave a new impetus to the ecumenical movement, emphasizing the importance of dialogue among Christians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit . The Council recognized that divisions among Christians openly contradict the will of Christ, scandalize the world, and damage the preaching of the Gospel .
The commitment to ecumenism is not solely the responsibility of the Apostolic See but is also the duty of individual local and particular Churches . It extends to everyone according to their ability, whether in daily living or in theological and historical studies . Pope Francis has described this commitment as "walking together, praying together and working together," emphasizing that sharing Christian lives, praying with and for other Christians, and giving common witness through action helps grow into the unity desired by the Lord .
Several elements are essential for the restoration and growth of Christian unity:
The Catholic Church, faithful to the direction taken at the Council, not only wants to go forward on the way that leads to the restoration of unity but is anxious to strengthen its contribution to this great movement of all Christians . The hope for Christian unity has its divine source in the Trinitarian unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit .
Pope Leo XIV welcomed Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Latin Catholic pilgrims participating in an ecumenical pilgrimage. The pilgrimage, led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, aims to visit Rome, Constantinople, and Nicea. Pope Leo highlighted the significance of the pilgrimage in restoring unity among Christians. The Pope mentioned the importance of the common celebration of Easter in 2025 for all Christians.
5 months ago
Pope Leo XIV recently met with a U.S. Orthodox-Catholic pilgrim group at his papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, emphasizing the pursuit of unity and fraternal charity among Christians 1 2 3 6. The Pope welcomed the 50-member group, composed of Greek Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Latin Catholic pilgrims, highlighting their journey as a significant step in the ecumenical movement 2 3 5 6. This pilgrimage, titled "From Rome to New Rome," is led by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey 2 3 5 6.
The pilgrimage is designed to "return to the sources" of Christian faith, with stops planned at significant historical and spiritual sites 2 3 5 6. These include Rome, where Saints Peter and Paul were martyred; Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), associated with Saint Andrew; and Nicea, the site of the First Ecumenical Council 2 3 5. The visit to Nicea is particularly timely, as 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of this pivotal council 2 3 6.
A central theme of Pope Leo XIV's address was the importance of Christian unity, which he described as a key focus of his pontificate 3 6. He noted the providential coincidence of all Christians celebrating Easter on the same date in 2025, allowing for a unified proclamation of "Christ is risen! He is truly risen!" 2 5. The Pope stressed that episcopal sees like Rome and Constantinople are called to pursue "fraternal charity" through the Holy Spirit, rather than vie for primacy 3 5 6.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the theological progress and dialogue of charity that have marked recent decades, particularly since the 1965 Joint Declaration by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, which removed the mutual excommunications of 1054 2 3 5 6. He remarked that such a joint pilgrimage would likely not have been possible before this historic act of reconciliation 3 5 6. The Pope also expressed his hope to meet Patriarch Bartholomew again during the ecumenical commemoration of the Council of Nicea's anniversary 2 3 5 6.
During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the pilgrims to be "witnesses and bearers of hope," aligning with the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year, "Pilgrims of Hope" 2 3 5 6. He also looked ahead to 2033, which will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's redemption 2 3 6. The Pope concluded his address by praying that the return to the roots of faith would bring God's consolation and enable all Christians to "pour out the oil of consolation and the wine of gladness on today’s humanity," like the Good Samaritan 2 5.
What is the Church's teaching on Christian unity?
The Catholic Church's teaching on Christian unity is rooted in the belief that Christ founded one Church, and the division among Christians contradicts His will, scandalizes the world, and harms the preaching of the Gospel . The Second Vatican Council made the restoration of unity among all Christians one of its principal concerns and a solemn pledge .
The Church's teaching on Christian unity can be understood through several core principles:
The Church identifies several essential elements for pursuing and achieving Christian unity:
The Church acknowledges that while significant progress has been made, the ultimate goal of full visible unity has not yet been reached . Therefore, the commitment to ecumenism remains an ongoing and vital endeavor, rooted in the hope of Christian unity, which finds its divine source in the Trinitarian unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit .