Pat. Bartholomew and Pope Leo Pray Doxology, Sign Joint Declaration at Phanar

Pope Leo and Pat. Bartholomew at the Phanar. Photo: Vatican News

ISTANBUL — On Saturday, during his third day in Turkey, Pope Leo came together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for a prayer service and Doxology at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. Pope Leo addressed the faithful, expressing gratitude for what he called a warm and brotherly welcome.

As reported by Vatican News, in greeting Pat. Bartholomew, the Pope highlighted the continuity of long-standing ties between their churches. “Upon entering this Church,” the pontiff said, “I experienced great emotion, mindful that I am following in the footsteps of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. I am also aware that Your All-Holiness had the opportunity to meet my venerable predecessors personally, and to develop a sincere and fraternal friendship with them based on shared faith and a common vision of the challenges facing the Church and the world.”

Leo also said that his own friendship with Bartholomew has deepened since their first meeting at the beginning of his ministry as Bishop of Rome. The Orthodox Observer described the event as a "profound manifestation of the 'dialogue of love' between the Sister Churches of East and West." This was said despite the two Churches not being in communion with one another.

During the prayer service, the "Holy Bishop and Pope of Rome Leo" was included in the litany. He was also commemorated first, with Pat. Bartholomew being commemorated second, and led the recitation of the Lord's Prayer in Latin.

A central theme of the pilgrimage was the commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. “Yesterday, and again this morning, we experienced extraordinary moments of grace as we commemorated, together with our brothers and sisters in faith, the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea,” the Pope said.

He noted that the memory of the Council — guided by Jesus’ prayer that “all His disciples may be one” — serves as an encouragement toward renewed efforts for full Christian communion.

The pontiff also honored the Apostle Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, offering his “most fervent good wishes” ahead of Sunday’s feast day. He underscored the "shared journey of faith" linking the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Before holding a private meeting, Pat. Bartholomew and Pope Leo signed a Joint Declaration in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Joint Declaration of "our venerable predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras." 

One of the items touched on the declaration was the continual exploration of a shared date to celebrate Pascha:

"We are grateful to divine providence that this year the whole Christian world celebrated Easter on the same day. It is our shared desire to continue the process of exploring a possible solution for celebrating together the Feast of Feasts every year. We hope and pray that all Christians will, 'in all wisdom and spiritual understanding' (Col 1:9), commit themselves to the process of arriving at a common celebration of the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The declaration also exhorted those "who are still hesitant to any form of dialogue" to "listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches" (cf. Rev 2:29) and urged them to understand the importance of presenting to the world "a renewed witness of peace, reconciliation and unity."

Questionably, the Joint Declaration also mentioned the Vatican II statement "Nostra Aetate," which has recently been in the spotlight of criticism from several Orthodox talking heads.

"In particular, we reject any use of religion and the name of God to justify violence," today's declaration states. "We believe that authentic interreligious dialogue, far from being a cause of syncretism and confusion, is essential for the coexistence of peoples of different traditions and cultures. Mindful of the 60th anniversary of the declaration Nostra Aetate, we exhort all men and women of good will to work together to build a more just and supportive world, and to care for creation, which is entrusted to us by God. Only in this way can the human family overcome indifference, desire for domination, greed for profit and xenophobia."

Previously, UOJ reported that Pat. Bartholomew and Pope Leo commemorated the First Ecumenical Council in Turkey.

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