A Congratulatory Message from the Middle East Council of Churches to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

With joy and hope, we, the members of the ecumenical family in the Middle East, witnessed the white smoke rising from the Vatican, announcing the election of the 267th Bishop of Rome, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, and in line with his life filled with knowledge, struggle for humanity, and love for people, Pope Leo XIV will bear witness to the ever-renewing Church of Christ, in accordance with the needs of the times, times that urgently need to hear the message of salvation.

We, at the Middle East Council of Churches, a long-standing ecumenical institution that includes the Catholic family among its members, look forward to deepening our institutional relationship with the dicasteries of the Holy See, where we have friends and colleagues with whom we collaborate across various fields.

To the Supreme Pontiff, head of the Catholic Church worldwide, we say: you and we are in sustained cooperation to spread the loving word, to heal the wounds of suffering humanity, and to guide people toward paths of righteousness, so that they may have a better life.

Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV, we are all one in Christ.