Pope Leo receives a delegation of young priests and monks from the Oriental Orthodox Churches

On Thursday, 5 February, Pope Leo XIV received in private audience a delegation of young priests and monks from the Oriental Orthodox Churches in Rome for a study visit organised by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPUC).

In his address, the Holy Father referred to the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2026. Reflecting on the link between unity and peace, he quoted the words of Patriarch Athenagoras: “I am disarmed of the need to be right, to justify myself by judging others”. Indeed, “When we remove the prejudices we carry within ourselves, and disarm our hearts, we grow in charity, work more closely together and strengthen our bonds of unity in Christ. In this way, Christian unity also becomes a leaven for peace on earth and reconciliation of all.”

The delegation was accompanied by Metropolitan Barnaba El-Soryani, Coptic Orthodox Bishop in Rome and Turin, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the Holy See – Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin, as well by Mgr Andrea Palmieri, Under-Secretary of the DPUC, and Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle, OP, Official of the Eastern Section.