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During the visit, Sauca expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for the close and constructive collaboration between the WCC and the Vatican.
The meeting offered the opportunity to discuss a range of issues on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the WCC, as well as preparations for the WCC 11th Assembly to take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, in September 2022 with the theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”
Sauca expressed great joy at the visit, and at sharing plans for the WCC 11th Assembly.
“This visit is part of a pilgrimage we continue to take together, and I am moved and gratified by the chance to meet Pope Francis again, and to personally communicate how deeply joyful I am to include our Roman Catholic friends in those plans,” said Sauca.
“I shared the theological and spiritual perspectives of the theme of the assembly, pointing out that the love of God in Christ is inclusive and has in view the reconciliation and unity of all creation said Sauca. “Then Pope Francis shared his own views on the theme.“ said Sauca. “The whole meeting was a profound spiritual sharing”.
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Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, Cardinal Kurt Koch, and Pope Francis.
Vatican Media
“In the end, the Pope restated his appreciation for the work of WCC, committed himself to keep us in his prayers as we move towards the assembly, promised to send a message and reassured that a delegation of the Roman Catholic Church will attend the assembly,” Sauca added.
As a conclusion to the meeting, Sauca added. “I am grateful for the ministry we share on the path to reconciliation and unity, as we walk, pray, and work together for our communities and for the world.”
After the audience, Sauca visited the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, where he met with Cardinal Koch, Bishop Farrell and other officials. During the meeting they discussed the challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic to ecumenical relations in general.
Time was also dedicated to discussing the involvement of the Catholic Church in the preparations for the WCC 11th Assembly and the formation of the official Catholic delegation. Among other topics discussed there were the preparations of the materials for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, ecumenical opportunities for the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the first ecumenical council (Nicea 325) in 2025, and strengthening of the theme of Christian unity in the ecumenical movement in the prospective of common mission and witness to the world.
