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Orthodox leaders predict improved relations with Pope Benedict
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Orthodox leaders are predicting improved relations with the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI. "The new pope, an excellent theologian, will value our church's wealth of theology and spirituality and wish to cooperate with it and support theological dialogue," said Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians. In an April 20 statement, the patriarch said he welcomed "with satisfaction and hope" the election of former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, adding that the German background of the pope offered "hope and certainty that he will be able to express the significance of unity or at least of peaceful cooperation." Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow said he also counted on improved Catholic-Orthodox relations. "I sincerely hope Your Holiness's pontificate will be marked by the development of good relations between our churches and fruitful Orthodox-Catholic dialogue," Patriarch Alexy said in a congratulatory message.
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