In his letter to the Pope, the Patriarch wrote: "I am glad for the growing perspectives of developing good relations and a positive co-operation between our two Churches. The solid basis is in our common roots, in our converging positions on the many issues that are plaguing our world." The Patriarch said he was "convinced that the greatest revelation of the Gospel ‘God is love’ should become the guideline for all those who consider themselves followers of Christ, for it is only through our witness of this mystery that the conflicts and alienation of this century may be overcome by the proclamation of the eternal values of Christianity to the modern world."
