Ecumenism

The Latest

Refugees in Athens.

Pope Francis' visit to Greece shows a shared Christian concern for refugees

Apr 15, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ visit on Saturday with refugees in Greece will show solidarity with those in need and demonstrate a shared... Read more

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Four reasons why Pope Francis will meet with Patriarch Kirill

Feb 11, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The first, historic meeting between a Pope and a Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church does not come from nowhere.... Read more

OneLife LA, Jan. 23, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, thousands rally to build a city that celebrates life

Jan 25, 2016

The dignity of every human life was the focus of a major pro-life event in Los Angeles on Saturday. More... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St Peters Square on June 17, 2015.

Pope will go to Sweden for Reformation anniversary, Vatican announces

Jan 25, 2016

Pope Francis will take part in an ecumenical ceremony in Lund, Sweden, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant... Read more

A Hanukkah menorah.

Vatican takes on tense question of salvation for the Jewish people

Dec 11, 2015

Though it “is and remains an unfathomable divine mystery,” Jews can participate in salvation without confessing Christ explicitly, a Vatican... Read more

Central Africans gathered in Bangui to greet Pope Francis, Nov. 29, 2015.

Christians can find unity in suffering, Pope Francis tells Evangelicals in CAR

Nov 29, 2015

The path to Christian unity includes shared suffering, Pope Francis told the Central African Republic’s evangelical Christian communities on Sunday,... Read more

Bishop-elect Msgr. Steven Lopes greets Pope Francis during a Wednesday general audience. Photo courtesy of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter in the United States and Canada.

Pope names first Catholic bishop to oversee Anglican ordinariate

Nov 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Steven Lopes, a Catholic priest from California, as the new bishop who will head the... Read more

'Impatience for unity' – a look at the Pope's recent chat with Lutherans

Nov 17, 2015

By Carl Bunderson

Pope Francis' encounter with a Lutheran community in Rome this weekend was his chance to advocate for greater unity among... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Sqaure on Nov. 4, 2015.

Pope Francis: What will Jesus ask you on judgement day?

Nov 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis paid a visit to Rome’s Lutheran community, where he took questions and told attendees that what... Read more

Cross.

What 50 years of talks between Catholics and Lutherans looks like

Nov 2, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Catholic and Lutheran bishops have signed a declaration that they hope solidifies areas of “consensus” on matters of faith while... Read more

Pope Francis participates in an interreligious prayer service at Ground Zero, Sept. 25, 2015.

Destruction is always personal, Pope Francis reflects at Ground Zero

Sep 25, 2015

After his Friday meeting with loved ones of fallen first responders to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, the Holy... Read more

Displaced Assyrian families in the Assyrian cathedral of Al-Hasakah, Syria, March 2015. Photo courtesy of the Assyrian Church Beirut.

Pope Francis prays for new Assyrian Christian leader amid Middle East tragedy

Sep 21, 2015

Amid the sufferings of Christians in the Middle East, Pope Francis on Monday sent his prayers to the new head... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for the Wednesday general audience on June 17, 2015.

Evangelizing evangelicals – why Pope Francis loves to meet with charismatic movements

Jul 3, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ attendance for the second consecutive year at the Catholic charismatic movement’s Renewal with the Spirit convocation shows his... Read more

The five patriarchs of Antioch at their June 8 meeting in Damascus.

Christians belong in Middle East, Antioch patriarchs say in call for peace

Jun 9, 2015

The five Christian patriarchs of Antioch met in Syria on Monday, calling for peace in the Syrian civil war while... Read more

    Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 2, 2015.

Pope to Lutherans: In Christian unity, don't be afraid of the tough issues

May 5, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Christians in pursuit of unity should not be afraid to broach potential areas of disagreement such as marriage, family, and... Read more

Is there an end in sight to centuries-old sectarian divisions in Scotland?

Feb 17, 2015

Following an ecumenical meeting with Pope Francis on Monday, the moderator of the Church of Scotland said the gathering  was... Read more

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul.

A challenge and a grace – life for Catholics in Turkey

Dec 1, 2014

Living as a Catholic in the majority Muslim country of Turkey can be difficult, but it can also be a... Read more

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew exit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George following the Doxology Nov. 30, 2014. Photo courtesy of John Mindala/Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Second joint declaration signals new step in path toward unity

Nov 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

In the second joint declaration they have signed since May, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew reaffirmed their shared desire for... Read more

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople at the Vatican, June 8, 2014.

A new path for unity – Pope and Patriarch to face world challenges together

Nov 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, speaks to CNA Oct. 22, 2014.

Ecumenical dialogue in the spotlight as Pope's Turkey trip approaches

Oct 22, 2014

By Elise Harris

The cardinal heading the Church’s council for Christian Unity has expressed his hope that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Turkey... Read more