Pope hopes for RCC and Phanar to enter "complete visible unity"
Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: day.kyiv.ua
On March 12, 2021, Pope Francis sent a congratulatory message to the new Metropolitan of Italy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Exarch Polycarp (Stavropoulos) of Southern Europe, in which he expressed the hope that the RCC and Phanar would enter into "complete visible unity", the official website of the Vatican reports.
The Pope believes that Catholics and Orthodox will be able to transform, "with God's help, the communion already uniting us into a complete visible unity."
In addition, Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, reminded the Phanar hierarch "of the importance of joint efforts in proclaiming the Word of God, educating new generations and serving those most in need."
According to the cardinal, "this fraternal cooperation is designed to make a particular and effective contribution to the full restoration of communion between our Churches."
The new Metropolitan of Italy replaced Bishop Gennady (Zervos) in this post, who died in October 2020.
Metropolitan Arseny of Austria (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe; Metropolitan Chrysostom of Cyrene of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus and Bishop John of the Coptic Orthodox Church took part in the ceremony of enthronement of Metropolitan Polycarp.
It was also attended by Francesco Moralia, “patriarch” of Venice, Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, and Ambrogio Spreafico, representative of the Catholic Episcopate of Italy.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the RCC welcomes Phanar's idea of a joint celebration of Easter by 2025.
Read also
Suspended bishop files a lawsuit against the Church in Armenia
The lawsuit by a hierarch banned from serving against the leadership of the Armenian Church is the first such case in modern Armenia, where the Church is separated from the state.
Bosnia’s Interreligious Council speaks out against creating “Bosnian Church”
The Interreligious Council of Bosnia rejected an attempt to form a separate religious structure outside the canonical jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Germany sends €63 million to international abortion organizations – media
Despite official statements, German authorities allocated tens of millions of euros in 2022–2025 to organizations promoting abortion abroad.
Pashinyan says Catholicos’ activities threaten Armenia’s security
At a briefing in Yerevan, Armenia’s head of government said the Catholicos poses a threat to the state.
Dumenko: Russian shelling only underscores the “canonical” status of the OCU
Serhiy Dumenko assured that the OCU “opposes discord by seeking accord, peace, and unity.”
Venezuela’s opposition leader hands Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal
During talks at the White House, Venezuela’s opposition leader presented the U.S. president with the Nobel Peace Prize medal she received for her struggle against the regime in Caracas.