Pope to Methodists: Reconciliation is a ‘task of the heart’

By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis met Monday with several members of the World Methodist Council, an association of about 80 churches around the world that represent some 80 million faithful.

In his speech, the Pope thanked God that Catholics and Methodists had overcome their estrangement and sought dialogue “in mutual knowledge, understanding and love” over the past 60 years.

“Opening up to each other brought us closer together and made us realize that reconciliation is a task of the heart,” he said. “When the Heart of the Lord Jesus touches our hearts, It transforms us. »

Pope Francis has called on Methodists and Catholics to seek to unite our “different minds and wills” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“It is a journey that takes time,” he said, “but we must continue on this path, always centered on the Heart of Christ, because it is from this Heart that we learn to communicate with one another and serve the Kingdom of God. .”

The Pope then recalled that 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first ecumenical council, the Council of Nicea, which united Christians around the Nicene Creed, or profession of faith.

He noted that Methodists and Catholics profess the same faith in Christ and therefore bear the same responsibility “to offer signs of hope that testify to the presence of God in the world.”

In conclusion, Pope Francis thanked the theologians and pastors who served on the International Joint Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church.

“Dear sister and brothers, I express my most sincere thanks for your visit,” he said. “Let us remain united in prayer. Merry Christmas!”