Christian Unity Is One of Pope Leo XIV's Interests
A Plan of Work Towards a More Peaceful World
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV announced the approach of his Pontificate as a program filled with service, love, and fraternity, during the Mass marking the beginning of his Petrine Ministry on Sunday.
"One family," the Supreme Pontiff emphasized, fully aware of the extent of the suffering of the human family today as a result of wars, conflicts, and crises, which he denounced in his meeting with the Representatives of Churches, other Christian Denominations, and Representatives of other Religions. Between "no" and "yes," the Missionary Bishop and Grandson of Migrants called for the need to be free from all ideological or political conditioning.
“No” to war and “yes” to peace, “no” to the arms race and “yes’” to disarmament, “no” to an economy that impoverishes peoples and the Earth and “yes” to integral development. This is what the Pope said to his guests, stressing that the witness of fraternity will inevitably contribute to building a more peaceful world.
While peace has become a dream for many people suffering from woes and tragedies, Christian and human unity has become essential to overcome life's difficulties and challenges. Is there anyone who truly understands the importance and gravity of this issue? This is a question we pose to the concerned world leaders and decision-makers!
Full Communion
On the Vatican level, it has become clear that Pope Leo carries in his heart a concern for Christian unity and rapprochement with various Religions and communities. This is a path that His Holiness wished to continue, succeeding his predecessors. Thus, it was the Will of God that he was elected as Pope in the year of the 1700th Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. This council is considered a fundamental stage in the development of the Creed shared by all Churches and Ecclesial communities.
"Walking Together" is a motto the Pope emphasized in his meeting with the Representatives of the Religions on Monday, noting that while “we are on the path towards the reestablishment of full communion among all Christians, we recognize that this unity can only be unity in faith. As Bishop of Rome, I consider one of my primary duties to seek the reestablishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”.
Concern and Necessity
Amidst the many endeavors and dialogues for the awaited unity, His Holiness emphasized that his pursuit of this unity was never an accidental matter, but rather a constant concern of his life. This is evidenced by the motto he chose for his Episcopal Ministry: "In Illo uno unum." The motto bears a quote of Saint Augustine that reminds us that we are " In the one Christ we are one." But what about achieving communion? Is it also a dream or an ongoing process?
The Supreme Pontiff points out that "our communion is achieved to the extent that we move together toward the Lord Jesus Christ. The more faithful and obedient we are to Him, the more united we become to one another. Therefore, as Christians, we are all called to Pray and work together to achieve, step by step, this goal, which remains, in essence, the fruit of the Holy Spirit's work.”
In this context, Pope Leo notes that he is fully aware of the profound connection between Ecumenism and Synodality, and affirms his intention "to continue Pope Francis' commitment to promoting the Synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger Synodality in Ecumenical relations."
However, Ecumenism is not only translated in bridging distances between Christians, but also in building bridges of love and fraternity between different Religions and Communities for a more secure and stable life. This is what the Supreme Pontiff called for when he said: "Our common journey can and must also be understood in its broad, inclusive sense, in the spirit of human fraternity... Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges."
It is true that this path faces many challenges. But combining efforts and working together with deep faith and great hope will inevitably lead to tangible results in a world free of injustice and oppression.