VATICAN - Pope John Paul II receives in audience His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople: may the memory of the history making encounter between Patriarch Athenagoras I and Pope Paul VI in 1964 “prompt a leap forward in dialogue and restoration mutual brotherly relations”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “We give thanks to God commemorating together that blessed encounter forty years ago between my venerable predecessor Pope Paul VI, and the venerable Patriarch Athenagoras I. It took place in Jerusalem where Jesus was raised up on the cross to redeem humanity and gather it together in unity.” With these words Pope John Paul II greeted His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and entourage received in a special audience on Tuesday June 29 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of that historical meeting in January 1964. Returning in his memory to that event the Pope remarked: “how providential it was for the life of the Church, courageous and joyful at the same time! Moved by confidence and love for God, our illuminated Predecessors overcame age old prejudices and misunderstandings and together offered an admirable example of shepherds and guides of the People of God.”
“In their relations in these forty years our Churches have lived important occasions of contact which fostered a spirit of reciprocal reconciliation” Pope John Paul II said, mentioning visits and exchanges “signs of common commitment to walk together on the journey undertaken in order to achieve as soon as possible the will of Christ: ut unum sint!”. Certainly memories of sad events of the past weigh on this journey and only by purifying the memory of all prejudice and resentment will it be possible to “proceed freely on the path to unity”.
The Pope formulated the wish that the memory of the encounter between Paul VI and Athenegoras I “will prompt a leap forward in dialogue and restoration mutual brotherly relations” also through theological dialogue. In fact the Pope said he hoped the activity of the Mixed Commission an important instrument for this purpose would seen resume its activity. “I and my co-workers are determined to use every means to nourish a spirit of reciprocal acceptance and understanding in fidelity to the Gospel and our common Apostolic. We are urged along this path by the old and ever new commandment to love”. By way of conclusion the Pope entrusted this commitment to work for reconciliation and full communion to the intercession of Saints Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary, “the Mother of the One who calls us to full unity in His love”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/6/2004; Righe 29; Parole 390)
See the Pope’s address in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=135