Caption: Pope Leo met with members of the Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches.
…As Pope urges Israeli President for urgent ceasefire, aid in Gaza
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Catholic Church are deepening interfaith collaboration to promote Christian unity across the globe.
This follows the second plenary session of the Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the WCC, aimed at exchanging experiences, strengthening relationships, and exploring new priorities.
The session was primarily dedicated to helping members of the group, especially those from the World Council of Churches, to gain a deeper understanding of the Roman Curia.
“By inviting us to pray the Our Father together, the Pope reminded us that the true source and strength of unity is found in our relationship with Christ,” Flavio Pace, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, stated.
Participants included representatives from the Secretariat of State, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for Evangelisation, the Dicastery for Divine Worship, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and the General Secretariat of the Synod.
According to the Archbishop, the workshop offered participants a sense of a Curia that is alive — one that listens, interacts, and walks together, each according to its own area of expertise.
“So, when this second phase takes place in Rome, as it traditionally does, it will be an opportunity for deep encounter and listening. We also heard from Cardinal Prefect Kurt Koch, who spoke about the current challenges facing the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity,” Pace stated.
According to him, the Joint Working Group was divided into three sub-commissions after the workshop, composed of both Catholic members and representatives of the WCC, to address certain topics.
“As is customary, these discussions will likely result in a joint document at the end of the group’s mandate,” the Archbishop stated, disclosing that the current mandate of the group runs until 2030, and its findings will be presented both to the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches.
Similarly, Pope Leo XIV on Thursday received Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, in an audience in the Apostolic Palace.
According to the Vatican, the discussion was focused on the need for an urgent ceasefire and unimpeded aid access for Gaza, as well as the liberation of all remaining hostages and a two-state solution as the only path to peace.
The Israeli President subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state, and Paul R. Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and international organisations. “During the discussions, there was agreement on the historical value of the relations between the Holy See and Israel,” the statement read.
Accordingly, the political and social situation in the Middle East was addressed, with particular attention given to the tragic situation in Gaza.
According to the statement, hope was expressed, “for a speedy resumption of negotiations so that, with willingness and courageous decisions, as well as the support of the international community, the release of all hostages can be achieved, a permanent ceasefire reached with urgency.
“The safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas be facilitated, and full respect for humanitarian law be ensured, together with the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples.”
