On feast of St. Andrew, patron of Constantinople, Pope says we need prayer, conversion, and pardon.
As every year, on this feast of St. Andrew, Pope Francis sent a message to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Andrew is the patron saint of the Church of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The saint is the brother of St. Peter, the first pope, and the "first-called" Apostle.
In the Pope's brief message, he noted Bartholomew's recent visit to Rome and the united efforts the two Churches are making to promote world peace, care for creation, education, and dialogue among different religions.
"United in this faith, let us seek with determination to make visible our communion," Pope Francis urged.
Are we ready for the gift?
Pope Francis reflected that unity will only be a gift from God. But he prayed that the two Churches might be ready to accept this gift.
