Free Republic

Francis was speaking at a service to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant ReformationPope Francis urged Catholics and Lutherans to take decisive steps toward unity and “move beyond” the controversies that have divided western Christianity. However, the Pope nevertheless offered no new openings to the idea of sharing Communion before full unity is achieved. “We Christians will be credible witnesses of mercy to the extent that forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation are daily experienced in our midst,” the Pope said on October 31 during an ecumenical prayer service in the Lutherans’ Lund cathedral, which was built as a Catholic cathedral...