His Holiness Pope Francis: Christian Unity is a Journey of Synodality and Witness

Christian leaders of different denominations join His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday evening in the Vatican’s Protomartyrs Square to celebrate an Ecumenical vigil together with thousands of believers from around the world, marking the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the start of a new Ecumenical era.

By Linda Bordoni

The date, 11 October, is far from random as it is framed in the memory of the Second Vatican Council that was solemnly opened on this same day 62 years ago. In the words of the Synod’s Secretary General, that Council “inaugurated a new Ecumenical era of which the Synod is an expression and witness in its active desire to help the whole Church advance along the path of full unity.”

Unity and martyrdom

In his Homily prepared for an Ecumenical vigil marking that anniversary and with the participation of Synodal Fathers, His Holiness Pope Francis reflected on Christian unity and martyrdom, centering his thoughts on the words of Jesus: “The glory that you have given me I have given them” (Jn 17:22).

These words, the Pope explained, apply especially to the martyrs, whose witness to Christ brought them the glory of God.

At the vigil in Protomartyrs Square nestled up against St. Peter's Basilica, where tradition holds St. Peter was martyred, and celebrating a liturgy in which many of the texts and prayers were drawn from some of Vatican II's main documents and teachings, he emphasized that “the Church was built upon their blood,” which, he added, remains a testament to the enduring call for unity among Christians…

“The blood of the First Martyrs is a testament to the enduring call for unity among Christians.”

This report was originally published on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.