"May this meeting strengthen our mutual affection and renew our joint commitment to persevering in the journey that leads to reconciliation and peace between the Churches". This wish concluded Benedict XVI’s greeting to Bartholomew I, in the Church of Saint George in Istanbul. "I am deeply grateful for the brotherly reception", began the Pope: "I will cherish its memory forever in my heart", he added, as he defined today’s meeting "replete with genuine good will and ecclesial significance". Then, the Pope dwelt on the "major events that have supported our commitment to working towards the full unity of Catholics and Orthodox": from the joint statement signed by Paul VI and the patriarch Atenagoras I, to the "many statements of shared commitment and the many meaningful gestures" made both by Paul VI and John Paul II to "strengthen the drive to mutual understanding and the search for full unity". In addition, on defining Turkey as a "land closely bound to the Christian faith", Benedict XVI recalled "its rich wealth of martyrs, theologians, pastors, monks" and saints and the seven ecumenical councils between Catholics and Orthodox, "long-lasting milestones and guides along the journey to full unity".
