Pope at Mass in the Constantinople Patriarchate: Respect is the fundamental principle of complete unity
Superior General of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, in the framework of his visit to Turkey, in the Church of St. George in Istanbul, attended the celebrated to commemorate St. Andrew who is considered the founder of the Orthodox Church, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).
The Pope today visited the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the Mass in the Church of St. Dorje was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Evangelos Venizelos, the Istanbul Metropolitan of the Assyrian Orthodox Church Yusuf Çetin and Turkey's chief rabbi Isak Caleb.
Mass was celebrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and Pope Francis during one part of the two-hour Mass, also sent a prayer.
Patriarch Bartholomew during the Mass, said the efforts for unity of Eastern and Western Christian churches began 50 years ago, adding that it is in front of them a difficult time, but certainly the way in which there is no return.
Saying that both churches, as have the responsibility to the past, just as many have in the present, and the future, Bratolomej he said: "What is the meaning of our dedication to the past if it does not mean something for our future. What is the use brag with what we have inherited if we spend today and tomorrow in the life of the world and humanity. "
Pope Francis said that the real dialogue is possible when people who have the same name, the same person, or people who belong to one history, together.
Recalling the fact that his visit to Turkey, held 50 years after the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council-Pope Francis said that for him, very important to stress that the establishment of complete unity of the fundamental principle of respect for, and that, as he put it, does not mean that one is under the control of another or assimilation.
"What is the desire of the Catholic Church and my desire as Bishop of Rome to the church, which was conducted in love and compassion connected with Orthodox churches," he said.
Pope during a speech touched on the problems represented in the world such as lack of food, unemployment, especially youth unemployment percentage and stressed that it is necessary to fight the structures that cause poverty.
After the speech, the Patriarch and Pope Francis Bratolomej they headed toward the building of the Patriarchate. The Patriarch and the Pope were, holding hands, balcony welcomed present in the yard, and then kissed each other for peace, reconciliation and love.
- 30 Nov, 2014
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