“Your presence at the celebrations of our feast testifies once again to the deep relationship between the sister Churches of Rome and Constantinople, foreshadowed by the bond which unites the respective patron Saints of our Churches, the Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers in blood and faith, united in apostolic service and martyrdom,” said Pope Francis.
The Holy Father took the occasion to renew his support for the work of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.
“The problems which we may encounter in the course of our theological dialogue must not lead us to discouragement or resignation,” said Pope Francis. “The careful examination of how in the Church the principle of synodality and the service of the one who presides are articulated, will make a significant contribution to the progress of relations between our Churches.”