His
Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav, the primate of the Orthodox Church of
the Czech Lands and Slovakia met with Pope Francis for the first time.
They embraced each other in the Vatican and gave the typical paschal greeting.
His
Beatitude then delivered a short speech to Pope Francis, focusing on the
two disciples Jesus appeared to on the road to Emmaus and ecumenism.
HIS BEATITUDE METROPOLITAN RASTISLAV
“The Risen Lord Jesus Himself joined them on their pilgrimage and
encouraged them by explaining the Scriptures. They realize their
blindness: 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking
to us on the road?' Precisely this experience of the community of
disciples who walk together as pilgrims on the path of history, filled with precious meaning.”
The pope responded, also touching on the importance of walking together in an ecumenical relationship.
POPE FRANICIS
“We bless God for the spiritual bonds that unite us and encourage
us to continue in mutual building and in the common search for peace, a
gift from the Risen One. Between these bonds I would like to evoke the
presence here in Rome, in the ancient Basilica of St. Clement, of the
tomb of St. Cyril, Apostle of the Slavs, whose preaching spread the
faith in the lands where your Church carries out its mission.”
The pope
made reference to the Divine Liturgy they were able to celebrate at the
tomb of St. Cyril in the Roman minor Basilica of St. Clement during
their week in Rome from May 9-12.
As a sign
of their thanksgiving for their meeting with Pope Francis the primate
of the Orthodox Church gave the Holy Father an icon and a decorated
bowl. Pope Francis, in turn, gave him a remembrance of all those in war
and difficulties and a copy of his papal writings.