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6 July 2026

Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV has urged Christians worldwide to prepare together for the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s Redemption in 2033, describing the milestone as a moment for renewed witness to the faith amid global conflicts and divisions.

In an address to a high-level delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Holy Father emphasised the urgent need for greater cooperation among Christian communities. He called on believers to become “a credible sign of peace” in an era marked by war, polarisation, and fragmentation.

“Rooted in the Nicene Creed that we share, we are called to witness together to the Risen Christ and to contribute to building a more peaceful and united world,” the Pope said during the audience at the Vatican.

The meeting comes just one day after the Orthodox delegation attended the Pope’s Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, a significant feast in the liturgical calendar that honours the apostles traditionally regarded as founders of the Church of Rome.

Vatican observers see the visit as another step in the ongoing dialogue between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, which have been divided since the Great Schism of 1054. The presence of the delegation, led by representatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, underscores efforts to heal historic rifts and foster practical collaboration.

Pope Leo XIV, who has made Christian unity a priority of his pontificate, reminded his guests that the journey towards full communion is not merely theological but profoundly pastoral. “In a world thirsting for hope, our common witness must shine forth with clarity and charity,” he added.

The 2033 Jubilee, marking two millennia since the Crucifixion and Resurrection, is expected to be a major focal point for inter-Christian initiatives. Preparations are already under way in both Catholic and Orthodox circles for joint events, prayer initiatives, and theological symposia.

The delegation’s visit to Rome this week reflects the deepening ties between the Vatican and Constantinople, building on decades of ecumenical progress. Sources close to the discussions indicated that future collaboration on issues such as the protection of Christians in the Middle East and environmental stewardship is likely to feature prominently in ongoing talks.

This latest encounter signals a continued commitment from both sides to walk together on the path of reconciliation, even as significant doctrinal and ecclesiological questions remain.