Pope calls for “full, visible unity of all Christians”
Pope Leo XIV in prayer on December 7, 2025 Photo: Vatican Media
On December 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, addressing the faithful, spoke about his joint prayer with “our beloved brother Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople” in Nicaea, Vatican News reports.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church recalled the 60th anniversary of the Joint Declaration signed by Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople and Pope Paul VI, which ended the mutual anathemas. “Let us give thanks to God and renew our commitment to the journey toward the full, visible unity of all Christians,” the Pope urged.
Turning to Lebanon, the Pope said the country continues to be “a mosaic of coexistence,” saying he was encouraged to hear many people bear witness to that model.
The Pope noted that his trip to Turkey and Lebanon “teaches us that peace is possible – and that Christians, in dialogue with men and women of other faiths and cultures, can help to build it.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Nicaea, Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew recited the Creed without the filioque.
Read also
Hundreds of faithful honor St. Kuksha in Odesa
Pilgrims had the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Kuksha at the Dormition Monastery in Odesa.
Activists attack UOC lawyers during Upper Lavra court hearing
UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman reported that the legal team was blocked inside a café during an air raid alert and subjected to attempts at physical intimidation.
UOC hierarchs mark 25th anniversary of monastery in Seltso
Metropolitan Ioann of Kherson and Tavria led the Divine Liturgy at the St. John the Theologian Monastery to mark the anniversary of its founding.
Kyiv resident charged over threats against Ukraine’s chief rabbi
A Kyiv resident faces up to five years in prison for posting online threats against Ukraine’s chief rabbi.
"We were about to leave, but were detained" – Phanar bishop on OCU creation
Metropolitan Gregorios described how the Constantinople delegation was taken under police escort to Poroshenko and prevented from leaving Ukraine.
Yurash tells Cardinal Zuppi which issues to address during Russia visit
Ukraine stressed the need for tangible results during the latest stage of the Holy See’s special mission in Russia.