Pope proposes 2033 as next goal for Christian unity work

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office after the meeting, the Pope invited the Christian world to "walk together on the spiritual path that leads to the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033, with a view to returning to Jerusalem."

After visiting the Blue Mosque on Saturday morning, Leo XIV arrived by car in the European part of Istanbul, to the complex of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mar Ephrem, inaugurated in 2023. It is the first and, to date, only church built in the country since the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Worldwide, there are approximately two million followers of this patriarchal Church, which is based in Damascus.

Ignatius Ephrem II, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, welcomed the Pontiff and alongside 17 Christian leaders, including the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, they took pictures before taking their places around a large round table. The private meeting was intended to allow each of them to speak.

At the end of their discussions, Leo XIV concluded by thanking the participants and asking them to join him in prayer "so that new encounters and further moments" such as the commemoration of Nicaea may arise, according to the Holy See's statement.

The Bishop of Rome also expressed his desire for the participation of "the Churches that were unable to be present," noting that "the division between Christians remains an obstacle to their witness."

On Friday in Iznik, the celebration of the anniversary of Nicaea offered a symbol of unity but also a snapshot of the differences between the Churches, with the absence of part of the Orthodox Church. The Moscow Patriarchate in particular, which is no longer in communion with Constantinople, was not present at the assembly.

Invoking his papal motto advocating unity, Leo XIV invited Christian leaders "to walk together the spiritual path that leads to the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033" – the year that will mark 2000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus, according to Christian belief.

The Pontiff suggested "the prospect of a return to Jerusalem, to the Cenacle, the site of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples – where he washed their feet – and the site of Pentecost," the article continues. This is also the place where Jesus himself prayed "that they may all be one."

For some observers, the Pope's words hint at the prospect of an invitation to meet in the Holy Land. But "ecumenism requires geological patience," says a religious living in Istanbul, who believes that the wording of Leo XIV's message leaves plenty of room for interpretation and opportunity.

"I wish many blessings on all those who have gathered here and on all the communities they represent," wrote Leo XIV at the end of the meeting in the guest book of Mar Ephrem Church. As he had done the day before in Iznik, the Pope emphasised the common faith "in Jesus Christ, true God and true man," the bond of unity between Christians.

After this meeting, which lasted 45 minutes longer than planned, the Pope returned for lunch at the Apostolic Delegation in Istanbul.

In the afternoon, he will visit the Phanar, the seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, for a prayer service in St. George's Church, the "Doxology" -- the Orthodox service for great feasts.

Then, together with Patriarch Bartholomew, he will then sign a joint declaration.

This will occur within the Vigil of tomorrow's feast of St. Andrew, patron of the Orthodox; the Ecumenical Patriarch is considered his successor. On June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, and then on November 30, for St. Andrew, Catholic and Orthodox delegations often exchange official visits.

"I imagine there will be an invitation to proclaim Christ together to the world, a reference to peace, to the protection of the environment and of the human person," Archbishop Job Getcha suggested.

The Pope will conclude his day with a Mass at the Volkswagen Arena, a cultural and sports complex that can accommodate more than 4,000 people. This will be the only public Mass during Leo XIV's stay in Turkey, a country with only a minuscule Catholic minority.