n the interview Pope Francis gave on the return flight to Rome, he spoke about interreligious dialogue, asking political leaders, scholars and Muslim religious figures to speak out against fundamentalist terrorism. Regarding unity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, he said that “uniatism” is not the way forward. “I want to go to Iraq“ and “I would like to meet the Patriarch of Moscow”.
During the meeting the Pope condemned the degrading conditions in which refugees are forced to live as “intolerable”. “I wanted to meet more refugees but it was not possible,” he added. Before making his way tot he airport, Francis paid a visit to the Armenian Patriarch who is currently in hospital.
The Catholic Church “does not intend to make any demands” to restore full communion with Orthodox Christians. Pope Francis. Prospects for the new millennium. The “Ratzinger Proposal” is still echoed today.
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.
