Patriarch: Pontificate of Francis is radical

The relationship between Pope Francis and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I is considered friendly. Now the Patriarch has expressed himself-and for the exercise of office of the Pope.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I describes the pontificate of Pope Francis as "radical". In an Italian interview with prominent persons who have met Francis, he was explicitly asked whether he regarded the Papal term of office as "revolutionary". "The secular world may speak of a 'revolution', but we prefer the term 'radical'," said the honorary head of Orthodox Christianity in the interview published on the Vatican Insider Internet portal. Etymologically, the word refers to a return to the roots or the essence of the Gospel.

There was nothing more radical than a God who created the world out of love, became flesh, and identified with the weakest, according to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. "There is nothing more radical than a God who judges the people to eat thirsty water and hungry." Every Christian, and every clergyman, was called upon to act according to these "radical truths." Pope Francis reminded the faithful.

Spontaneous blessings for the Pope

The patriarch has called Francis his brother. Their relationship could not include the doctrinal and theological differences between their churches, which were formed by a thousand years of separation. But the personal dimension of their relationship plays an important role in the path of reconciliation between the Catholic and the Orthodox Church, according to Bartholomaios.

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