Pope thanks Phanar head for aspiration to restore unity

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: vaticannews.va

Pope Francis is grateful to the head of the Phanar for his desire to restore unity. The head of the Roman Catholic Church wrote about this in a congratulatory message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who celebrates 30 years of his patriarchy on October 22, 2021, reports Vatican News.

The Pope thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for pursuing the path of “dialogue, in charity and truth, as the only possible way for reconciliation between believers in Christ and for the re-establishment of their full communion.”

Pope Francis wrapped up his letter to Patriarch Bartholomew expressing his sentiments of “deep fraternal affection” and his spiritual closeness in “a holy embrace in the love of Christ the Lord.”

“With God’s help,” added Pope Francis, “this is the path along which we will most certainly continue to walk together, for the closeness and solidarity between our Churches are an indispensable contribution to universal brotherhood and social justice, of which humanity is so urgently in need,” wrote the head of the RCC.

As reported, the Phanar head prays for the health of the Pope for the sake of "promoting the mission of unity".

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