Ecumenical delegation from Finland visits Rome

On 19 January 2026, Pope Leo XIV received an ecumenical delegation from Finland in a private audience. The visit was part of the annual pilgrimage to Rome for the feast of Saint Henrik, the patron saint of Finland. The group, which included representatives of the Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox Churches, was led by the Lutheran Archbishop of Turku and Finland, His Excellency Tapio Luoma. His Eminence Elia, Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland of the Orthodox Church of Finland, was also present, together with His Excellency Mons. Raimo Goyarrola, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Helsinki.

In his address, Pope Leo paid tribute to the results of ecumenical dialogue in Finland and to the long-standing tradition of the joint celebration of Saint Henrik’s Day, describing them as “eloquent signs of a practical and fruitful ecumenism”.

Archbishop Luoma referred to the 750th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Turku in 2026 as a “significant milestone of Finnish civilizational development" and presented a letter from the President of the Republic of Finland, Mr Alexander Stubb.

During a meeting with Cardinal Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), and members of its staff, the delegation discussed the current ecumenical situation in Finland and shared views on ethical challenges.

The pilgrimage programme also included excursions and an ecumenical evening prayer in the church of Santa Brigida, presided over by Cardinal Kurt Koch, as well as a service in the church of Santa Maria dell’Anima.

All the celebrations were accompanied by the choir “Voces 19”, under the direction of Timo Lehtovaara.

Participants in the private audience:

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Most Rev. Dr. Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of Turku and Finland

Ms Pirjo Luoma

Rev. Dr. Juha Meriläinen

Rev. Dr. Aulikki Mäkinen

Rev. Dr. Mika Nokelainen

Ms Matleena Engblom

Rev. Dr. Kimmo Kääriäinen

Ms Petra Arki

Catholic Church in Finland

Rt. Rev. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, Diocese of Helsinki

Rev. Mauricio Bravo

Rev. Joosef Dang

Rev. Dr. Oskari Juurikkala

Seminarian Yohanna Angalov

Orthodox Church of Finland

Most Rev. Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and All Finland

Mr Jari Rönkkö

Order of the Most Holy Savior of Saint Bridget

Mother M. Fabia Kattakayam, O.Ss.S., Abbess General, Rome

_{Photos © Vatican Media}