His Holiness Pope Francis to His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew: Working together makes our communion visible

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His Holiness Pope Francis and His Beatitude Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople (Vatican Media)

His Holiness Pope Francis expresses his spiritual closeness to His Beatitude Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a letter for the feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, celebrated on 30 November, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, led a Holy See delegation to Istanbul for the occasion.

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, led the delegation of the Holy See to Istanbul for the feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, celebrated on 30 November, the liturgical feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle.

The Cardinal was accompanied by Bishops Brian Farrell and Andrea Palmieri, Secretary and Undersecretary of the Dicastery. In Istanbul, the delegation was joined by Msgr. Walter Erbi, Chargé d’affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Turkey.

A Tuesday statement from the Holy See Press Office said that the delegation took part in the solemn Divine Liturgy presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at Phanar.

Cardinal Koch also presented the Ecumenical Patriarch an autographed message from Pope Francis, which he publicly read at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

The Pope's message 

In the message, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the feast of Apostle Andrew, the "first-called and brother of the Apostle Peter, and patron saint of the Church of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

The Holy Father also highlighted the fraternal friendship and the "ancient and profound bond of faith and charity between the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople" and assured them of his spiritual closeness through the delegation he sent to convey his "good wishes for joy and peace" to the bishops, clergy, monks and lay faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy.

Working together despite differences

Pope Francis recalled that during Patriarch Bartholomew's recent visit to Rome, they were able to share their concerns regarding the present and future of our world and to express their shared commitment to addressing issues of crucial significance to the human family, including the care of creation, the education of future generations, interreligious dialogue and the pursuit of peace …

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