POPE FRANCIS REFLECTS ON HIS PILGRIMAGE JOURNEY TO CYPRUS AND GREECE

 

Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

After the Angelus on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, Pope Francis reflected on his journey to Cyprus and Greece and expressed his gratitude for the prayer that accompanied him and for the affection and kindness of the host countries that welcomed him.

The Holy Father recalled being moved by the words of Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, who spoke of the Church as Mother, and that while Christians “follow different paths, we are children of the Church of Jesus, that is a Mother, and accompanies and keeps us, that keeps us going, all as brothers and sisters”.

Pope Francis also expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece: "I experienced the gift of embracing dear Orthodox Archbishop Hieronymos: first he welcomed me into his home and the next day he came to visit me. I cherish this fraternity in my heart".

The Holy Father concluded: “I entrust to the Holy Mother of God the many seeds of encounter and hope that the Lord has scattered on this pilgrimage. I ask you to continue to pray that they may germinate in patience and flourish in trust”.

 

^{Photo © Servizio Fotografico | Vatican Media}