Ecumenical delegation from Finland visits Rome

26 Jan 2025

On 20 January 2025, Pope Francis received an ecumenical delegation from Finland, accompanied by the "Cappella Sanctae Mariae" from Helsinki, in a private audience. This visit was part of the annual pilgrimage to Rome for the feast of Saint Henrik, the patron saint of Finland. The group, which included Lutheran, Catholic, and Orthodox representatives, was led by the Lutheran Bishop of Lapua, Rt. Rev. Matti Salomäki. The new head of the Orthodox Church of Finland, His Eminence Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and All Finland, was also present together with His Excellency Mons. Raimo Goyarrola, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Helsinki.

In his address, Pope Francis described Saint Henrik as "a symbol of God-given unity, as his feast day continues to bring together Christians from different Churches and ecclesial communities in offering praise to God." Reflecting on the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Pope Francis remarked: "The Nicene Creed, which we all share, is an extraordinary ‘score’ of faith. And this ‘symphony of truth’ is Jesus Christ himself, the very centre of the symphony. He is truth incarnate, true God and true man, our Lord and Saviour. Whoever listens to this ‘symphony of truth’ – not only with the ears, but with the heart – will be touched by the mystery of God, who reaches out to us, full of love, in his Son."

Bishop Salomäki presented the Pope with a dove of peace, designed by the renowned Finnish artist Oiva Toikka: "The dove is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit builds peace. We wanted to symbolically support the work of peace with a donation of 2025 euros, one euro for each year since the message of Christmas night."

During a meeting with Cardinal Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), and Father Dr Augustinus Sander OSB, DPCU staff member responsible for the relations with Lutherans, the delegation discussed the current ecumenical situation in Finland and the shared ethical challenges.

The pilgrimage programme also included a Catholic Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, celebrated by Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, and ecumenical vespers at the Monastery Church of Santa Brigida, presided over by Cardinal Kurt Koch.

All the celebrations were accompanied by the magnificent choirs "Vox Aurea" from Lapua and the "Cappella Sanctae Mariae" from Helsinki.

Participants in the private audience:

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Bishop Matti Salomäki, Lapua

Mrs. Tiina Salomäki

Chaplain Johanna Tyynelä-Haapamäki

Dean Dr. Terhi Kaira

Rev. Eeva-Kaisa Heikura

Rev. Dr. Kimmo Kääriäinen

Catholic Church in Finland

Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, Helsinki

Father Eze Nwoko

Father Marie-Augustin Laurent Huyghue OP

Cappella Sanctae Mariae, Helsinki

Orthodox Church of Finland

Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and All Finland

Dr. Jelisei Heikkilä