His Holiness Pope Francis: The Church is a ‘caravan of brothers’ on a journey

His Holiness Pope Francis greets a Pan-Orthodox delegation of priests and monks of the Oriental Autocephalous Churches on Friday, reflecting on the Solemnity of Pentecost and “the full unity to which we aspire.”

By Vatican News staff reporter

At the heart of His Holiness Pope Francis’ address to young priests and monks from Oriental Orthodox Churches from different traditions was that of unity.

The Pope told those gathered that it was fitting that their visit was taking place on the eve of the Solemnity of Pentecost, according to the Latin calendar.

With that in mind, he offered them four brief reflections inspired by this great feast which, he said, “concern the full unity to which we aspire.”

Working of the Holy Spirit

His first thought was that unity is a gift, a fire from on high. 

Pope Francis noted that unity “is not primarily the result of our commitment, our efforts and our agreements, but of the working of the Holy Spirit, to whom we need to open our hearts in trust, so that he can guide us along the path to full communion.  Unity is a grace, unity is a gift,” he said.

Harmony

Pentecost also teaches us that “unity is harmony,” observed the Pope

“Unity is harmony in the diversity of the charisms bestowed by the Spirit… Harmony is the way of the Spirit, for, as Saint Basil the Great says, he is harmony.”…

This report was originally published on Vatican News website. Please click here to read the full text.