Pope Leo XIV receives delegation from the Lutheran World Federation

8 Oct 2026

On 1 October 2026, Pope Leo XIV received in audience a delegation from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), led by its President, Bishop Henrik Stubkjær.

In his address to representatives of the various regions of global Lutheranism, the Holy Father emphasised: “Renewed communion in the apostolic faith, in the sacraments and in the ministries is the goal of our ecumenical journey of grace, which we undertake together, guided by the Gospel.” Looking ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Confessio Augustana in 2030, he said: “It would be good if we could once again succeed in affirming together the pre-confessional ecumenical potential of the Confessio Augustana. I earnestly appeal to all believers, and especially theologians, to set their minds on Christ and his Gospel. Let us return, with deep devotion, to our common roots, to the faith of the Early Church and the Church Fathers, in order to rediscover the apostolic and pre-confessional heritage which truly unites us as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Following the audience, the LWF delegation visited the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU). In conversation with Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the DPCU, Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the DPCU, and Fr Dr Augustinus Sander OSB, the staff member responsible for relations with Lutherans, current issues and priorities in Catholic-Lutheran dialogue were discussed.

Members of LWF delegation:

LWF President

Stubkjær, Bishop Henrik, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark

LWF Vice-Presidents

Chang, Rev. Chun Wa, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong

Dibisa, Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu, President, The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (Ethiopia)

Fabiny, Bishop Dr Tamás, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary

Gohm, Rev. Katherine Maria; Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Gudmundsdóttir, Rev. Prof. Dr Arnfriđur, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland

Kühnbaum-Schmidt, Bishop Kristina, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany

Reimann Gnas, Ms Isabella, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Ruschke, Rev. Dr Johannes, Dean of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy

LWF Leadership Team

Burghardt, Rev. Dr Anne, General Secretary (Estonia)

Danielsson, Rev. Árni, Communion Office Chief of Staff (Iceland)

Immonen, Ms. Maria, Dr h.c., Director, Department of World Service (Finland)

Kit, Rev. Dr Sivin, Director, Department of Theology, Mission, and Justice (Malaysia)

Lange, Rev. Prof. Dr Dirk G. , Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations (USA/Canada)

Fuller, Ms. Jocelyn, Head of Communications (USA)