June 18, 2025 at 9:40 a.m.

Pope Leo and a commitment to ecumenism

Pope Leo XIV greets Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a bishop of the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate, during a meeting in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican June 7, 2025, with participants attending a conference on the ecumenical implications of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) (Courtesy photo of Vatican Media)

By Father James Kane | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

“In the one Christ, we are one” is the motto of Pope Leo XIV.

Our new Holy Father bore witness to his motto the day after he was inaugurated as the Bishop of Rome in his address to the representatives of other churches, ecclesial communities and other religions on May 19:

“With great joy I extend my cordial greetings to all of you,” said Pope Leo, who greeted the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew first. “While we are on the journey to re-establishing full communion among all Christians, we recognize that this unity can only be unity in faith. As Bishop of Rome, I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the re-establishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Leo noted that this is the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea that gave us the Creed shared by all Christians. Our Diocese is collaborating with the Episcopal Diocese of Albany on a symposium on the Creed at All Saints Cathedral on Nov. 2.

Pope Leo continued his remarks to the ecumenical guests: “Our communion is realized to the extent that we meet in the Lord Jesus. The more faithful and obedient we are to Him, the more united we are among ourselves. We Christians, then, are called to pray and work together to reach this goal, step by step, which is and remains the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Aware, moreover, that synodality and ecumenism are closely linked, I would like to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis’ commitment of promoting the synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations.”

Turning his attention to the interfaith guests, Pope Leo said: “Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges. I am therefore pleased and grateful for the presence of representatives of other religious traditions, who share the search for God and His will, which is always and only the will of love and life for men and women and for all creatures.

“In a special way I greet our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters. Because of the Jewish roots of Christianity, all Christians have a special relationship with Judaism …. The theological dialogue between Christians and Jews remains ever important and close to my heart. Even in these difficult times, marked by conflicts and misunderstandings, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours.

“Relations between the Catholic Church and Muslims have been marked by a growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity, fostered by esteem for those brother and sisters who ‘Worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to humanity.’ ”

It is worth noting that God is named as the all merciful One in all but one chapter of the Qur’an.

Then to all the interfaith guests, Pope Leo said: “In a world wounded by violence and conflict, each of the communities represented here brings its own contribution of wisdom, compassion and commitment to the good of humanity and the preservation of our common home.”

Father James J. Kane is the director of the diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.