Leo XIV delivered a speech this Thursday to the members of the Joint Committee of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), gathered in the Vatican on the occasion of the signing of the new Charta Oecumenica—ecumenical charter—, a document that updates the ecumenical commitments assumed twenty-five years ago. The meeting took place in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace.
Read also: European Christians sign the new «Charta Oecumenica»
The Pontiff opened his address with words from the Apostle Saint Paul: “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Tim 1:2). With that greeting, he welcomed the participants, recalling that the new Ecumenical Charter takes place near where Saint Paul shed his blood for Christ, as a sign of communion in the faith.
A call to discern together the challenges of the present
The Pope pointed out that the challenges facing Christians in Europe “are constantly evolving,” and emphasized the need to view recent history from the perspective of the Gospel. He recalled that, despite signs of growth and collaboration among Christian communities, many of them increasingly feel like a minority on the continent. In that context, he highlighted the urgency of promoting dialogue, concord, and fraternity “amid the clamor of violence and war.”
“Only the grace, mercy, and peace of the Lord—said he—will show us the most convincing way to proclaim Christ in the most difficult contexts.” The Pope invited to “welcome the new voices” emerging in Christian communities, especially among younger generations and peoples arriving in Europe with different cultural and religious traditions.
Synodality at the service of ecumenism
Leo XIV explained that the synodal path of the Catholic Church “is also an ecumenical path,” and that ecumenism, in turn, has a synodal dimension. Citing the final document of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, he recalled that listening and shared discernment are fundamental to proclaiming the Gospel more effectively. “The new text of the Ecumenical Charter—said he—highlights this common path among Christians of diverse traditions in Europe, capable of listening to each other to proclaim Christ together.”
The Pontiff celebrated that the review process of the Charter has allowed for establishing a shared vision on current challenges, maintaining “a firm faith in the ever-living relevance of the Gospel.” He defined this joint work as “a synodal effort to walk together.”
“Jesus Christ is our hope”
Leo XIV also announced his intention to travel soon to the place where the Council of Nicaea was held, to pray with the heads of Churches and leaders of Christian communities. In the context of the upcoming Jubilee Year, he reiterated his desire to proclaim to all the peoples of Europe that “Jesus Christ is our hope,” because He “is the way we must follow and the ultimate destination of our spiritual journey.”
The Pope concluded his speech by encouraging the representatives of the Christian Churches of Europe to continue working for the visible unity of Christians, and imparted his blessing to them: “With these thoughts and feelings, I renew my best wishes and give you my heartfelt blessing.”
We leave below the complete message from Leo XIV to the Joint CCEE–CEC Committee:
Dear brothers and sisters: “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Tim 1:2). With these words from the Apostle Paul, I welcome you all, members of the Joint Committee of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences and of the Conference of European Churches. I give thanks for your presence in Rome, so close to the place where the Apostle Paul shed his blood for Christ, and for the occasion that brings you together: the signing of the new Charta Oecumenica, which updates the commitment assumed twenty-five years ago to walk together as witnesses of Christ in Europe.
The challenges we face today are numerous and changing. The Christian communities of the continent are living in a time when signs of collaboration and spiritual growth alternate with the sensation of being a minority. But precisely in this context, the Lord calls us to keep hope alive and to offer His mercy to a world thirsting for peace. Only the grace, mercy, and peace of God can show us how to proclaim the Gospel convincingly in times of violence, inequality, and crisis. We need to listen to one another, discern together, learn from the experience of young people, and welcome the new voices that arrive with those who settle in Europe from distant lands. All of them are part of the history of salvation that the Lord continues to write in our time.
The synodal path that the Catholic Church is undertaking is also an ecumenical path. Likewise, ecumenism has a synodal dimension. In sincere dialogue, in mutual listening, and in community discernment, we find the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that the proclamation of Christ may be more credible.
The new text of the Charta Oecumenica reflects this same spirit: it is the fruit of shared discernment, of walking together in fidelity to the Gospel. I thank all those who have worked on the updating of this document. Their effort shows that even amid differences, faith in Christ and the desire to serve the common good allow us to speak with one voice.
May this work bear fruit in new forms of cooperation, prayer, and Christian witness in European society. In view of the upcoming Jubilee Year, I wish to renew with you the commitment to proclaim that “Jesus Christ is our hope.” He is the way, the truth, and the life; the destiny to which we are all called. I think especially of my desire to travel to Nicaea, the site of the first Ecumenical Council, to pray with the leaders of the Churches and Christian communities. There, where it was proclaimed that Christ is “true God from true God,” I will ask with you for the grace of full unity among the disciples of the Lord.
With these thoughts and feelings, I renew my best wishes and impart my heartfelt blessing to you.
LEO PP. XIV
Vatican City, November 6, 2025