Pope Francis met with an ecumenical delegation of the Lutheran Church on Thursday morning. The group traveled from Finland to Rome to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Henry, the Patron saint of their country. The Lutheran Bishop said the following to the Pope.
'We can bring light and hope to the lives of people in Finland, in Rome and around the world. Thank you for giving us an example of all this, Your Holiness.â?
The Pope recalled that it was 30 years ago when Finland's Lutheran Church first went to Rome, to celebrate the life of their patron saint. He quoted John Paul II and the words he uttered during that meeting.
POPE FRANCIS
'The fact that you have come to Rome is in itself a testament to the important efforts of unity. The fact that you can pray together, is a testimony of your faith, a faith that through the grace of God, can reach unity.â?
He also said that Catholics and Lutherans can together give witness of divine mercy. He explained that this testimony is particularly important at a time of persecution and suffering.
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