“His presence today revives in us the hope of a full unity of all Christians”. With these words, the Pope greeted His Holiness the Catholicos Karekin II, the Supreme patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, accompanied by a delegation, at the beginning of the catechesis for today’s general audience in Saint Peter’s Square. “I renew the expression of my joy for the possibility I am given this morning to receive him”, said Benedict XVI after the mutual greetings in English that went with the initial hug. “I am glad to take the opportunity to also thank him for the loving welcome he gave recently in Armenia to my cardinal and secretary of state, went on Benedict XVI, mentioning “the unforgettable visit the Catholicos made in Rome in the year Tow Thousand, just after his appointment”: “As he met him – said the Holy Father – my beloved predecessor, John Paul II, gave him a valuable relic of Saint Gregory the Enlightener and then went to Armenia to reciprocate the visit”. “Everyone knows – went on the Pope – about the commitment of the Armenian Apostolic Church to ecumenical dialogue, “and I am sure the current visit of the venerable Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians too will contribute to expanding the relationships of fraternal friendship that bind our Churches”. According to Benedict XVI, “these days’ immediate preparations for the Solemnity of the Pentecost drive us to revive our hope in the help of the Holy Spirit to move on along the way of ecumenism”: “We are sure – stated the Pontiff – that the Lord Jesus Christ never forsakes us in our search for unity, because His Spirit is indefatigably working to support our efforts aimed at overcoming any division and patching up any rent in the lively fabric of the Church”. Since the day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples gathered at the Last Supper, ensured Benedict XVI, “the Church has always been, as it were, in a state of Pentecost” and “is not afraid to announce the Gospel down to the farthest borders of the earth”. “That’s why – explained the Pope –, even confronted with difficulties and divisions, Christians cannot give up or surrender to despondency”, but actually they have to “persevere in prayer to keep alive the flame of hope and their longing for a full unity”.
“In this age of globalisation and at the same time of fragmentation, without prayer, the ecumenical facilities, institutions and programs would be deprived of their heart and their soul”. Lingering on the “health” of ecumenism, at today’s general audience in the presence of Karekin II, the Pope renewed the warning launched during his recent apostolic journey to the United States, as he mentioned the “centrality of prayer in the ecumenical movement”, in the Church of St. Joseph in New York. “Ut unum sint! This invitation of Christ’s always resounds in our heart”, commented Benedict XVI as he rendered thanks unto the Lord “for the targets achieved in ecumenical dialogue thanks to the action of His Spirit”. “Let’s remain meek in listening to His voice – exhorted the Pope –, so that our hearts, replete with hope, will endlessly cover the path that leads to the full communion of all the disciples of Christ”. “Love, joy, peace, patience, benevolence, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-possession”: these are the gifts of the Spirit invoked by the Pope “for all Christians, so that in the common and generous service to the Gospel they can be in the world a sign of God’s love for mankind”.
News by SIR