Pope Benedict XVI greeted a special delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople,
Bartholomew I, which is here in Rome to mark the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul.
For many years now, since the renewed impetus to work toward Christian unity that
was among the responses to the 2nd Vatican Council, Rome and Constantinople
have exchanged official delegations on the Patronal feasts of the respective sees:
the Feast of St Andrew for Constantinople and the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul for
Rome.
In his remarks to the ecumenical delegation on Tuesday, Pope Benedict
said, “Your participation in this, our feast day, like the presence of our representatives
in Istanbul for the Feast of St. Andrew, expresses the true friendship and brotherhood
which unites the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bonds that are solidly
based on the faith received from the testimony of the Apostles.” The Holy Father also
looked forward to the coming World Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace
and Justice in the World this coming October 27th in Assisi, noting that
the theme of the event will be Pilgrims in truth, pilgrims in peace – a theme he said
is an encouragement for all to continue in the way of dialogue and brotherhood.