Istanbul (Turkey), Nov 29 (EFE). - Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I signed a joint declaration on Saturday "alarmed by the current international situation", calling for peace in the world and for all possible efforts to cease wars, on the third day of the pontiff's visit to Turkey.
"Together, we fervently raise our voices to invoke the gift of God's peace for our world. God will not abandon humanity," they wrote.
In the statement, the leaders indicated that "tragically, in many regions of our planet, conflicts and violence continue to destroy the lives of so many people." They called on "those who have civil and political responsibilities to do everything possible to ensure that the tragedy of war ceases immediately," and asked "all people of good will to support our plea."
Above all, they rejected "any use of religion and the name of God to justify violence."
The Pope and the spiritual leader for 300 million Orthodox affirmed that they believe "that authentic interreligious dialogue, far from being a cause of syncretism and confusion, is essential for the coexistence of peoples of different traditions and cultures."
They exhorted "all men and women of good will to work together to build a more just and solidary world, and to care for the creation that God has entrusted to us," for "only in this way can the human family overcome indifference, the desire for domination, the greed for profit, and xenophobia."
"Although we are deeply alarmed by the current international situation, we do not lose hope," they added.
Furthermore, in the document, both leaders state that it is a "common desire to continue the process of exploring a possible solution to celebrate the Feast of Feasts together every year (Easter)."
Previously, Leo XIV met with the leaders and representatives of the Churches and Christian communities at the Syrian Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem, located in Yeşilköy, in the European part of the Turkish city, and the first and, to date, only church built in Turkey since the foundation of the Republic.
In a brief speech, Leo XIV "invited everyone to walk together the spiritual path that leads to the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033, with a view to returning to Jerusalem, to the Cenacle, the place of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, where he washed their feet, and the place of Pentecost, a path that leads to full unity."
