Pope Leo XIV: Rome and Constantinople must not compete over primacy

Audience at Castel Gandolfo with participants of the Orthodox–Catholic ecumenical pilgrimage from the U.S. Photo: Vatican Media

On July 17, 2025, Pope Leo XIV received participants of an Orthodox–Catholic ecumenical pilgrimage from the United States at Castel Gandolfo. During the audience, the pontiff emphasized the need for unity among Christians and called on Catholics and Orthodox believers to avoid rivalry. This was reported by Tribune Chrétienne.

“Rome, Constantinople, and all other sees are not called to dispute primacy, lest we find ourselves in the same situation as the disciples arguing over who among them was the greatest,” said the pope, referencing the Gospel of Mark. According to him, true primacy must be expressed in service, not in power.

Leo XIV also drew attention to the coincidence of the Easter calendars in 2025, which allowed Christians of different confessions to proclaim together: “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!”

“This fills us with great hope,” he noted. “Our hope is in God, and precisely because we draw from His grace, we are called to be messengers of hope.”

Speaking about the meaning of pilgrimage, the pontiff said: “You have set out on a journey to return to the origins – to the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, and the apostle Andrew in Constantinople. Such a return is a renewal of faith.”

The pope gave special attention to the upcoming jubilee of 2033 – the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection of Christ. He stressed the importance of spiritual preparation for this date and expressed hope for an ecumenical celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.

Addressing Metropolitan Elpidophoros and Cardinal Tobin, the pope thanked them for organizing the pilgrimage and sent a fraternal greeting to Patriarch Bartholomew. He also expressed his willingness to meet again in a few months – this time as part of a joint jubilee celebration.

“May our return to the foundations of the faith make us those who bring the oil of consolation and the wine of joy to today’s world,” the pope concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported on a statement by a Roman Catholic bishop about papally appointed bishops: Wolves among the sheep.

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