On the recordMay 22, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the inspiring prayer service between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew this Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. These two spiritual leaders of 1.5 billion Christians worldwide are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first historic meeting in Jerusalem between their predecessors: Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964. Sunday's meeting in the Holy Land serves to recognize mutual respect and admiration between the two churches that was reignited 50 years ago. It is fitting that it takes place at the birthplace of Christianity: Jerusalem. I commend the leadership of Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who both glorify God and demonstrate that Christianity is characterized by love, peace, and compassion. ____________________
