Patriarch of Jerusalem welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s election: “A significant event for the world”

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem issued a heartfelt statement congratulating His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as the 267th Bishop of Rome, describing the moment as deeply meaningful not only for the Roman Catholic Church but for the world at large.

“We wish to express our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election, and we hold prayer for his this new important spiritual mission,” the Patriarch wrote. “This is a significant event not just in the life of the Roman Catholic Church, but for the world.”

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s first public address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Patriarch praised the new pontiff’s emphasis on dialogue and reconciliation.

“We affirm the words that His Holiness spoke in his speech after the election that emphasise bridge-building, dialogue, and encounter as the avenues to peace. In a world so torn by division, violence, distrust, and despair, we know that the way of peace can be built only by such means.”

The Patriarch went on to highlight the shared commitment of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and other Christian leaders in the Holy Land to the cause of peace and unity.

“We look forward to the important engagement of Pope Leo in this urgent work, to which we, as the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with our fellow Heads of the Churches in the Holy Land, have long been committed.”

He also expressed hope for renewed momentum in the ongoing Orthodox–Roman Catholic theological dialogue.

“We also look forward to the ongoing Orthodox-Roman Catholic international theological dialogue, which has been so constructive, and to which our Patriarchate, as a member of the Orthodox family, remains committed. We pray for this to be the pathway that we may walk together to unity and to full communion in the common Chalice.”

Reaffirming the close ties between the Holy See and the Christian communities of the Holy Land, the Patriarch extended an invitation to the newly elected Pope: “We hope very much to welcome Pope Leo as a pilgrim to the Holy Land, as we welcomed his predecessors, and we are confident in His Holiness continuing their long standing and honoured tradition of supporting and encouraging the Christian presence in the Holy Land and our broader region, in the face of growing pressure and challenge.”

The statement concluded with a prayerful message: “May the risen Lord enlighten Pope Leo’s heart and mind as he enters into the new responsibility that Divine Providence has placed upon him.”

Please, read the full message:

We wish to express our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election, and we hold prayer for his this new important spiritual mission. This is a significant event not just in the life of the Roman Catholic Church, but for the world.

We affirm the words that His Holiness spoke in his speech after the election that emphasise bridge-building, dialogue, and encounter as the avenues to peace. In a world so torn by division, violence, distrust, and despair, we know that the way of peace can be built only by such means. We look forward to the important engagement of Pope Leo in this urgent work, to which we, as the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with our fellow Heads of the Churches in the Holy Land, have long been committed.

We also look forward to the ongoing Orthodox-Roman Catholic international theological dialogue, which has been so constructive, and to which our Patriarchate, as a member of the Orthodox family, remains committed. We pray for this to be the pathway that we may walk together to unity and to full communion in the common Chalice.

We hope very much to welcome Pope Leo as a pilgrim to the Holy Land, as we welcomed his predecessors, and we are confident in His Holiness continuing their long standing and honoured tradition of supporting and encouraging the Christian presence in the Holy Land and our broader region, in the face of growing pressure and challenge.

May the risen Lord enlighten Pope Leo’s heart and mind as he enters into the new responsibility that Divine Providence has placed upon him.

His Beatitude Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem