Pope tells Orthodox he hopes two faiths move closer to each other

Published: 2006-06-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped Catholics and Orthodox would continue to move closer to one another, eliminating all obstacles to their ability to celebrate the Eucharist together. As is customary, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople sent a delegation to the pope's June 29 celebration of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of the Vatican. Pope Benedict told the delegation, led by Metropolitan John of Pergamon, that he was looking forward to visiting Istanbul, Turkey, to participate in the Nov. 30 celebration of the feast of the patriarchate's patron, St. Andrew. The pope said he was certain the trip, reciprocating the visits Patriarch Bartholomew has paid to Rome and repeating gestures made by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, "will strengthen our ecclesial fraternity and facilitate collaboration in common initiatives."

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