CITY — May 9, 2024 —
Pope Francis’s ecumenical efforts have been central to his papacy. For over a decade, the Pope has consistently fostered greater unity among Christian churches through actions and words. His initiatives extend from interfaith meetings to seeking a unified Easter date, reflecting a commitment to bridging divides. This commitment positions Pope Francis as a key figure in modern ecumenism, with his legacy poised to influence Christian relations for years to come.
Pope FrancisS Ecumenical Journey: Bridging Christian Divides
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Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis consistently championed greater unity among Christian churches, a mission reflected in both his words and actions.
A Foundation of Unity
Centuries-old divisions have historically separated Christian denominations. Though, Pope Francis actively built upon the ecumenical groundwork laid by his predecessors, striving to narrow these divides.
- early Signals: From his initial introduction as the Bishop of Rome to landmark visits with Anglican and Reformed leaders, Pope Francis demonstrated solidarity across different Christian traditions.
- Consistent Actions: Over the past 12 years, his papacy has been marked by intentional efforts to foster understanding and collaboration.
“Bishop of Rome”: A Symbolic Gesture
Upon his election in 2013, Pope Francis’s papacy immediately signaled an ecumenical focus. His first greeting in St.Peter’s Square saw him identify as the Bishop of Rome
rather than Pope, a title also listed in the 2013 Vatican yearbook.
This choice was widely interpreted as a gesture of respect toward the leaders of other Christian churches, acknowledging the papal position within a broader context of Christian leadership.
In 2022, nearly a decade into his papacy, Pope Francis revived the discussion of a unified Easter date for both Orthodox and Catholic churches. During a meeting with Mar Awa III,Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East,he stated:
I want to say—indeed,to repeat—what Pope Saint Paul VI said in his day: We are ready to accept any proposal that is made together.Pope Francis
The idea of a fixed Easter date,proposed by Pope Paul VI during the second Vatican Council,was brought back to the forefront at Pope francis’s urging.
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2025, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s openness to the date that everyone wants: a date of unity.
The alignment of the Catholic and Orthodox Easter dates in 2025 presented a unique possibility, prompting Pope Francis to urge both churches toward a concerted effort for unity.
His final Easter celebration,on April 20,2025,marked a rare moment of shared observance across Christian traditions,as the Gregorian and Julian calendars coincided.
1,700 Years of Ecumenism: The Council of Nicaea
The year 2025 also commemorates the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Pope Francis envisioned a joint Catholic-Orthodox celebration of this historic event,which produced the Nicene Creed,a foundational statement of Christian belief.
During a visit from the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation to Rome in June 2024, Pope Francis expressed his desire to travel to Nicaea for the anniversary. He also invited the Orthodox Church to visit Rome during the Jubilee Year of Hope, coinciding with their own Jubilee Year in 2025.
Nikos Tzoitis, advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, highlighted Pope Francis’s emphasis on synodality as a driving force behind these ecumenical gestures.
Meetings and Milestones
In his later years as Pope,Francis engaged in numerous meetings with Orthodox leaders,including representatives from the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church,Ignatius Aphrem II (Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch),and Pope Tawadros II (Patriarch of Alexandria and head of the Coptic Orthodox Church).
His meeting with Pope Tawadros II celebrated the 50th anniversary of Coptic-Catholic friendship, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration.
Tawadros came to see me for the first time on May 10 ten years ago and proposed to celebrate every May 10 the Coptic-Catholic Friendship Day, which we have been celebrating every year sence that time. We call each other on the phone, send greetings and remain good brothers.Pope Francis
An Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage
Beyond formal meetings, Pope Francis undertook notable symbolic journeys.In 2023, he embarked on a long-awaited visit to South sudan.
This visit, termed an “Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage,” saw him travel alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields. this marked the first time a pope had undertaken such a visit with Anglican and Reformed leaders.
A Legacy of Unity
While the pursuit of Christian unity remains ongoing, Pope Francis’s 12-year pontificate has emphasized the critical importance of nurturing productive relationships among all Christian communities.
