Pope Francis with the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople
During a private audience with the Pontiff noted the growing unity between the Churches.
June 28, Pope Francis received in a private audience at the Vatican a delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, arrived on the feast of saints Peter and Paul, on behalf of Patriarch Bartholomew, according to Vatican news.
The Pontiff noted that the presence of the representatives of the Church of Constantinople at the celebration “is a sign of the growing unity that links the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate”.
According to Pope Francis, the modern world throws many challenges: the gradual cooling of the Christian faith, contempt for human dignity, idolatry money growing violence, the absolutization of science and technology, reckless exploitation of natural resources. It’s all for the alternative, which is to new forms of development, social solidarity and justice.
“Our Churches can create new opportunities for the transformation of the world: the Church itself is a sign of this transformation, reciprocity, love, and openness”, – said the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis noted that “the convergence of views with the beloved brother Bartholomew is embodied in a particular shared endeavours”, Recalling the recent projects of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Catholic Church to combat modern slavery, for the protection of the environment and to promote peace.
At the end of the treatment the head of the Vatican expressed the hope that Catholics and Orthodox will have more opportunities for cooperation and common prayer, for “joint unified proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
May 28, 2018, the Pope met with Patriarch Bartholomew at the conference “the New politics and lifestyles in the digital age”.