Pope receives prior of ecumenical Community of Taize

November 29, 2013 - Pope Francis on Thursday received in private audience in the Vatican, Brother Alois, the prior of the ecumenical Community of Taize, France. A communique by the Community said it was first meeting between Br. Alois with the new Pope. The prior of Taize had met Pope Benedict XVI at year-end vigils that the community holds in the Vatican. The Taize Community is an ecumenical monastic order, composed of Protestant and Catholic monks, who are committed to peace and justice through prayer and meditation. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz, a Protestant, who has met Pope John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II. Brother Alois spoke to Pope Francis about how young people are welcomed in Taizé and the pilgrimage of trust that the community makes with young people on all continents. He also presented to the Pope the ecumenical concerns of Taizé, highlighting that baptism already unites all Christians. Pope Francis expressed the deep respect he felt towards Brother Roger, the founder of the Taizé Community, and strongly encouraged the group to continue on the road it is engaged in.