Vatican City, 2014 (VIS) – “Every
Christian pilgrimage is not only a geographical journey, but also and
above all an opportunity to take a path of inner renewal taking us
ever closer to Christ our Lord”, said Pope Francis to the members
of the Oriental Lumen Foundation in America, who are meeting in Rome
in these days as part of an ecumenical pilgrimage.
“These dimensions are absolutely
essential to proceed along the road that leads us to reconciliation
and full communion among all believers in Christ. There is no true
ecumenical dialogue without openness to inner renewal and the search
for greater fidelity to Christ and to His will”.
The Holy Father expressed his
satisfaction at learning that the pilgrims had decided to honour the
memory of Popes St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II, remarking that
“this decision underlines their great contribution to the
development of ever closer relations between the Catholic Church and
the Orthodox Churches. The example of these two saints is without
doubt enriching for all of us, since they always bore witness to an
ardent passion for Christian unity”.
The Pope asked those present to pray
for him during their pilgrimage to Rome, “so that, with the
intercession of these two Saints, my predecessors, I may carry out my
ministry as bishop of Rome in the service of the communion and unity
of the Church, always following the will of the Lord”. With regard
to the pilgrims' upcoming meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, His
Holinesss Bartholomaio I, in Fanar, he remarked that he too will meet
with the Patriarch during his apostolic trip to Turkey in November.
“I beg you to convey to him my cordial and fraternal greetings, as
testimony of my affection and esteem”.
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