PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I SENDS ANNIVERSARY WISHES TO POPE FRANCIS

 

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, sends his greetings and well-wishes to Pope Francis for the 10th anniversary of his papacy, and thanks him for his long-standing friendship and work to promote the care of Creation.

By Vatican News

As Pope Francis celebrates the 10th anniversary of his election to the papacy, on 13 March, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, has sent the following message to Pope Francis.

It is a special honour and a deep joy for me to express my most sincere congratulations to my beloved brother, Pope Francis, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his election as the first bishop of our sister Church of Rome.

Over these ten years, our friendship and collaboration, especially in the ministry of bringing comfort and peace to all God's people, and in the mandate to promote care and healing for all God's Creation, have brought us closer together in our common conviction and commitment to see the face and welcome the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the least of our suffering brothers and sisters.

Dear Brother Francis, we appreciate the priorities of your leadership, applaud the prudence of your actions and admire the progress of your mandate.

Personally, I look forward to sharing the next steps of your blessed journey as we approach the historic commemoration and extraordinary celebration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, where the main articles of our Christian Creed were formulated.

Ad multos annos, my dear friend! Chrónia pollá!