Vatican City, Jan 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Holy Father this morning extended his, "fraternal best wishes to my venerable brothers, the heads of your Churches" as he met with twenty-seven members of the International Commission for Theological Dialogue between representatives of the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The group were received in the Concistory Hall of the Vatican by the Holy Father, who thanked His Grace Anba Bishoy for "his kind words."
"I join you," said John Paul II, "in praying that the real bonds of communion between us may be further strengthened through a spirituality of communion which contemplates 'the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us', and sees 'what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift from God'.”
With these sentiments, I encourage your efforts to foster mutual understanding and communion between Christians of East and West, and I invoke the blessings of Almighty God upon your deliberations."