Pope welcomes growing interest in Orthodox meeting

(September 10, 2010) A papal message to an annual conference on Orthodox spirituality noted growing participation in the event and praised the choice for this year's theme. A message sent on the Pope’s behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone commended the 18th International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality at the Bose monastery in northern Italy, that concludes on Saturday. Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are participating in the 4-day conference on the theme, "Communion and Solitude." The Holy Father noted the theme is "rich in ideas for further reflection and also of great pastoral and cultural timeliness." The papal message also invited the participants to "turn their gaze to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, guided by her, to contemplate Christ the perfect model of harmony between communion and solitude, in whom subsists the One and Triune God."