Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 1061

ogy of communion, as a service to unity in truth and charity. The Bishop of

the Church of Rome, which presides in charity (Saint Ignatius of Antioch), is

understood to be the Servus Servorum Dei (Saint Gregory the Great). Thus, as

my venerable predecessor the Servant of God Pope John Paul II wrote and I

reiterated on the occasion of my visit to the Phanar in November 2006, it is a

question of seeking together, inspired by the model of the first millennium, the

forms in which the ministry of the Bishop of Rome may accomplish a service of

love recognized by one and all.2 Let us therefore ask God to bless us and may

the Holy Spirit guide us along this difficult yet promising path.

Yet even as we make this journey towards full communion, we should

already offer common witness by working together in the service of human-

ity, especially in defending the dignity of the human person, in affirming

fundamental ethical values, in promoting justice and peace, and in respond-

ing to the suffering that continues to afflict our world, particularly hunger,

poverty, illiteracy, and the inequitable distribution of resources.

Furthermore, our Churches can work together in drawing attention to

humanity's responsibility for the safeguarding of creation. In this regard, I

express once again my appreciation for the many valuable initiatives sup-

ported and encouraged by Your Holiness which have borne witness to the

gift of creation. The recent international symposium on Religion, Science and

the Environment dedicated to the Mississippi River, and your encounters in

the United States with distinguished figures from the political, cultural and

religious spheres, have exemplified your commitment.

Your Holiness, on the solemn Feast of the great Apostle Andrew, I

express my respectful esteem and spiritual closeness to Your Holiness and

to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and I pray that the Triune God may bestow

abundant blessings of grace and light on your lofty ministry for the good of

the Church.

It is with these sentiments that I extend to you a fraternal embrace in the

name of our one Lord Jesus Christ, and I renew my prayer that the peace and

grace of our Lord may be with Your Holiness and with all those entrusted to

your eminent pastoral leadership.

From the Vatican, 25 November 2009.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

2 Cf. Ut Unum Sint, 95.