Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale1070

While the meeting in Ravenna was not without its difficulties, I pray

earnestly that these may soon be clarified and resolved, so that there may

be full participation in the Eleventh Plenary Session and in subsequent ini-

tiatives aimed at continuing the theological dialogue in mutual charity and

understanding. Indeed, our work towards unity is according to the will of

Christ our Lord. In these early years of the third millennium, our efforts are

all the more urgent because of the many challenges facing all Christians, to

which we need to respond with a united voice and with conviction.

I therefore wish to assure you once more of the Catholic Church's com-

mitment to nurture fraternal ecclesial relations and to persevere in our theo-

logical dialogue, in order to draw closer to full communion, as stated in our

Common Declaration issued last year at the conclusion of my visit to Your

Holiness.

Once again we take our inspiration from Saint Paul's words to the Chris-

tians of Philippi, with which he urges them to seek perfection through the

imitation of Christ, and reminds them to ''hold true to what we have at-

tained'' (Phil 3:16).

With these sentiments of fraternal affection in the Lord, I embrace Your

Holiness and all the members of the Holy Synod. I greet also the Orthodox

faithful, praying that the peace and the grace of the Lord may be with you

all.

From the Vatican, 23 November 2007.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI