A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is foreseeable for the future, a theological advisor of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Costantinople told CNA November 28.

“Today, there is no excuse for indifference or inaction. A joint response between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew can prove both powerful and permanent,” said Fr. John Chrissavgis, who works for the partriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

In his address to Turkey’s political leaders, Francis recalled the role and responsibility the country has in maintaining peace in the region and called for equal rights and duties for the country’s religious minorities. “We’re on the same page when it comes to the fight against terrorism,” Erdoğan stated.

During his visit to the Diyanet, Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs, Francis called for mutual respect and friendship among religious leaders, as these values “represent a clear message” to “respective communities”. The Pope condemned the acts of “extremist and fundamentalist group”, ISIS.

Upon his arrival in Ankara the Pope visited Ataturk’s Mausoleum, where he left a message in the Golden Book and praised the country’s humanitarian efforts

The second week of November witnessed massive celebrations marking the silver jubilee of the demolition of the Berlin Wall which took place on November 9, 1989. The celebrations unveiled further determination to intensify efforts designed to demolish moral and cement walls.

During his visit to the Council of Europe, Pope Francis called for "a political solution to current crises"

The Catholic Church “stands by the side of all the people of Egypt during the period of political transition.” Pope Francis assured Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Sisi of this in an audience held in the Vatican on Monday, Novermber 24, six years after Benedict XVI’s meeting with Hosni Mubarak.

As the woman rots away in prison she also has to endure the mockery of speculation about her suffering.

Do a computer search for "ISIS" and "Christians" and prepare to gasp in horror. ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or simply Islamic State) is slaughtering Christians in the Middle East in a war on Christianity that is more deadly than the one between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

While most of the Western world focused on Gaza last summer, ISIS was murdering people mercilessly. And as shouts of outrage concerning the war in Gaza proliferated, the virtual silence on the war against Christians was deafening.

“It is painful to see that the struggle against hunger and malnutrition is hindered by “market priorities”” the Pope said at the Second International Conference on Nutrition taking place this week in Rome. When there is no solidarity people revolt against the institutions. The water wars was one of the topics discussed