Pope Francis sent a video message on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the election of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Head of the ancient See of Constantinople, with whom he assures he shares “a fraternal friendship” and “a shared awareness of our common pastoral responsibility, in face of the urgent challenges that the whole human family faces today.”
At the beginning of the message, the Holy Father reflects his “good personal understanding” with the Patriarch, and then he expresses his gratitude for his “commitment to the protection of creation and for his reflections on the subject,” of which, he clarifies, he has “learned” and continues “learning a lot.” With the pandemic and its health, social and economic consequences, he says that the Patriarch, with “his witness and teaching on the necessary spiritual conversion of humanity has become more important.”
“His Holiness Bartholomew has pointed out incessantly dialogue in charity and truth, as the only way possible for reconciliation among all believers in Christ and for the re-establishment of their full communion. Without a doubt, we want to continue walking together on this path. We have the common conviction that the closeness and solidarity between us, Christians, and between our Churches, are a necessary contribution to universal fraternity and social friendship, which humanity needs with great urgency,” he added.
By way of conclusion, Pope Francis expressed to Patriarch Bartholomew I his “most fervent good wishes for his anniversary, asking God to grant him health, serenity, spiritual joy” and a “sense of humor.”
“Make Our Communion Visible”
On November 30, 2021, the day of the liturgical commemoration of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Pontiff sent a message to Bartholomew I. The message was read by Cardinal Kurt Koch, Head of the Apostolic See’s Delegation, which was present at the Solemn Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George.
“United in this faith, let us seek determinately to make our communion visible,” said the Pontiff to the Ecumenical Patriarch. “My thought goes to you, beloved Brother in Christ, and to the Church of Our Lord Jesus, ‘the great Shepherd of the sheep,’ that He has entrusted to your ministry. I do so, not only because of our fraternal friendship but also because of the ancient and profound bond of faith and charity between the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople,” concluded Pope Francis.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
