Even though today "there haven’t been the necessary conditions to suppose a short visit to Moscow by the Pope, yet," there have been "a few events, even recent ones, showing us certain progress in the approaching process", such as, in these days, the visit of the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the visit of Benedict XVI to Constantinople. Those words were spoken by Msgr. Paolo Pezzi, archbishop of the Mother of God in Moscow, in an interview with L’Osservatore Romano. According to Msgr. Pezzi, "it is necessary to go on in this direction, trying to foster continual meetings and to let deep mutual knowledge grow; mutual knowledge is actually fundamental to pave the way to the ultimate meeting". In fact, in between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, they are trying to "accomplish a real kind of collaboration between our Churches, including sincere friendliness. Above all stated the archbishop we are trying to walk in the same direction. As a matter of fact, there is a certain desire to reach full communion, in the end. And this makes ecumenical dialogue something longed for, something to be delved into to reach the end of the path according to God’s wish". As for the question whether ecumenical dialogue is hindered most by theological disputes or practical issues, Msgr. Pezzi answered: "Perhaps, the two things are connected". (To be continued)
