The pontiff looked back to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Christians to deepen their common witness by growing in \u201cecumenical synodal practices,\u201d recalling the shared recitation of the Nicene Creed at Nicaea and thanking the Churches in Armenia for preparing this year\u2019s resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.<\/p>\n
The pope made the appeal during the celebration of Second Vespers for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, marking the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.<\/p>\n
Standing near the tomb of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Leo said that Paul\u2019s mission \u201cis also the mission of all Christians today: to proclaim Christ and to invite everyone to place their trust in him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quoting the Second Vatican Council\u2019s call to proclaim the Gospel to all creation, the pope said it is the \u201cshared task of all Christians to say humbly and joyfully to the world: \u2018Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo also looked back to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, noting that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had invited Christians to commemorate the anniversary in \u0130znik, Turkey, and giving thanks that \u201cso many Christian traditions were represented\u201d there.<\/p>\n
\u201cReciting the Nicene Creed together in the very place where it was formulated was a profound and unforgettable testimony to our unity in Christ,\u201d he said, praying that the Holy Spirit would help believers \u201cproclaim the faith with one voice to the men and women of our time!\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the Pauline theme of \u201cone body, one Spirit, one hope \u2026 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God,\u201d the pope told those gathered: \u201cWe are one! We already are! Let us recognize it, experience it and make it visible!\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to the Catholic Church\u2019s synodal path, Leo cited Pope Francis\u2019 observation that the synodal journey of the Catholic Church \u201cis and must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical journey is synodal,\u201d adding: \u201cI believe this is a path for growing together in mutual knowledge of our respective synodal structures and traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
With an eye toward 2033 \u2014 the 2,000th anniversary of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus \u2014 the pope urged Christians to commit themselves \u201cto further developing ecumenical synodal practices and to sharing with one another who we are, what we do and what we teach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo greeted Cardinal Kurt Koch and leaders and representatives of other Christian communities, including Metropolitan Polykarpos for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and Bishop Anthony Ball on behalf of the Anglican Communion.<\/p>\n
He also offered a special word of gratitude to the Churches in Armenia, which prepared the materials for this year\u2019s Week of Prayer, praising \u201cthe courageous Christian witness of the Armenian people throughout history, a history in which martyrdom has been a constant feature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recalling Catholicos St. Ners\u00e8s \u0160norhali, whom he called \u201cthe Gracious,\u201d Leo said the 12th-century Armenian churchman understood that the search for unity \u201cis a task entrusted to all the faithful, and that it requires the healing of memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope concluded by recalling the tradition of Armenia as the first Christian nation, after King Tiridates was baptized by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 301, and prayed that the seeds of the Gospel would continue to bear fruit \u201cin unity, justice and holiness, for the benefit of peace among the peoples and nations of the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was originally published\u00a0by ACI Stampa, and has been adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n