On November 29, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul. It was attended by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I.

During the homily Pope Francis concentrated on the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the disciples after Christ’s death and resurrection.

“The Church’s whole life and mission depend on the Holy Spirit. He is the spirit of unity,” he said.

Then Pope Francis made the distinction between unity and uniformity in the Church. When we try to create unity through our own designs we end up with uniformity and homogenisation. Genuine unity can only be brought about by the Holy Spirit.

“If we let ourselves be led by the Spirit variety and diversity will never create conflict because the Spirit spurs us to experience variety in the communion of the Church,” he said.

Pope Francis was pointing also, at least indirectly, to a possible unity, not uniformity, between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. Differences remain between the two Churches.

Our duty is to continue to pray for unity as Christ urged us to do before he laid down his life for us.