For a path of unity ” “

The Pope and the Patriarch, holding hands, looking out from the balcony of the second floor of the patriarchal building at the Phanar in Istanbul. Together again, back into each other’s arms. Leaders of two Churches that are not yet in full communion with each other, but that are united in a common concern over the many global challenges: poverty, terrorism, the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. It was an important milestone in the intense journey of Bergoglio in Turkey, held November 28 to 30, where the Holy Father met with the civil authorities, the spiritual leaders of the Islamic community representing the population’s majority faith, other religious minority faiths, the small Catholic community. The challenges of poverty and conflicts. “We cannot ignore” the voices of the poor, of the victims of conflicts – the Pope said in his meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch –who “implore our Churches to live deeply our identity as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ”. The Pope was a guest of the Patriarch in the Phanar to follow the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. George in the patron saint feast day of St. Andrew. There is something new between the Pope of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople. The dialogue experienced here in Istanbul seems to stem from the pockets of the theological difficulties to voice the real, urgent problems of the men and women of our times. Pope Francis spoke of poverty that “can give rise to criminal activity and even the recruitment of terrorists”. He recalled that past Friday at the Mosque in Kano, a large city in the north of Nigeria, an attack caused the death of more than 81 people. “Stripping the peace of a people, committing every act of violence – or consenting to such acts – especially when directed against the weakest and defenceless, is a serious sin against God, since it means showing contempt for the image of God which is in man”, the Pope said. The knot of ecumenical dialogue. But while it is clear that the dialogue between the Churches will have to confront the reality of the world, it is equally clear that the ecumenical path is struggling to make progress. The work of the International Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches in their entirety appears difficult and solemn. Theologians have chosen to focus their research on the role of the primacy. But during centuries of separation the Churches have developed different visions. And a different standpoint is not the only obstacle on the way of ecumenism. The Orthodox world is divided internally, which is also a problem. From this perspective the words of Pope Francis in this context were perceived as unprecedented: “I want to assure each one of you here that, to reach the desired goal of full unity, the Catholic Church does not intend to impose any conditions”. Patriarch Bartholomew addressed to Francis words of esteem and brotherly love. He described him as a “herald of love, peace, and reconciliation”. He added: “Your are offering to your Orthodox brothers the hope that during Your time, the approach of our two great ancient Churches will continue being edified on solid foundations”. Joint Declaration. In the Throne Hall on the third floor of the patriarchal palace, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew finally a Joint Declaration, to the presence of cameras and journalists. A concrete and powerful text, for the most part dedicated to the Middle East question because – said the two religious leaders – “we cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East without Christians, who have professed the name of Jesus there for two thousand years”. In the statement Pope Francis and Bartholomew appealed to the international community but are also addressed authentic Islam. Sign of a change in perspective of a Church that opens up to the outside world and calls upon all people of good will, especially religious leaders, to promote peace and say “no” to all forms of fundamentalism, strengthening interfaith dialogue and “making every effort to build a culture of peace and solidarity between persons and between peoples”.