Ecumenical Patriarchate's delegation arrives in Rome

(news.va) - Pope Benedict XVI greeted a special delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, which is here in Rome to mark the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. For many years now, since the renewed impetus to work toward Christian unity that was among the responses to the 2nd Vatican Council, Rome and Constantinople have exchanged official delegations on the Patronal feasts of the respective sees: the Feast of St Andrew for Constantinople and the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul for Rome.

In his remarks to the ecumenical delegation on Tuesday, Pope Benedict said, “Your participation in this, our feast day, like the presence of our representatives in Istanbul for the Feast of St. Andrew, expresses the true friendship and brotherhood which unites the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bonds that are solidly based on the faith received from the testimony of the Apostles.” The Holy Father also looked forward to the coming World Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World this coming October 27th in Assisi, noting that the theme of the event will be Pilgrims in truth, pilgrims in peace – a theme he said is an encouragement for all to continue in the way of dialogue and brotherhood.