Pope Francis encourages Taizé youth to work for Christian unity

December 30, 2013

Continuing a practice of his predecessor, Pope Francis has sent a message to the youth gathered at the Taizé Community’s annual meeting to persevere in their efforts for Christian unity.

The ecumenical monastic community’s gathering, which is taking place from December 28 to January 1 in Alsace (France) and Ortenau (Germany), is devoted to the theme, “seek visible communion among all who love Christ.” An estimated 25,000-30,000 youth are in attendance.

“You are aware that the division among Christians is a formidable obstacle to the accomplishment of the mission entrusted to the Church and that ‘the credibility of the Christian proclamation would be much greater if Christians went beyond their divisions’” (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 244), Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said in conveying the papal message. “The Pope shares with you the conviction that we can learn so much from each other, because the realities that unite us are many.”

“The Pope counts on you so that, by means of your faith and your witness, the spirit of peace and reconciliation of the Gospel may shine forth among your contemporaries,” he added.

The Moscow Patriarchate, Archbishop of Canterbury, Lutheran World Federation, and other religious leaders and institutions also sent messages for the meeting.

 

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Further information:

• Messaggio Del Santo Padre Ai Partecipanti All’Incontro Europeo Dei Giovani Promosso Dalla Comunità Di Taizé (Holy See)
• Messages received for the meeting in Strasbourg (Taizé Community)
• Pope speaks to Taizé youth about Christ, ecumenism (CWN, 1/2/13)
• Pope's encouragement to Taizé meeting (CWN, 12/29/11)