Pope Francis has arrived in Greece

Pope Francis has arrived in Greece After the visit to Cyprus, the second stage of the Pope's journey begins in Athens. In the Hellenic capital, Francis will confirm Catholics in the faith and encourage them as members of the universal Catholic Church. Monsignor Dimitrios Salachas: we do not feel we are a minority, but heirs of a glorious history.

Francesca Sabatinelli - Vatican City At 11.10 local time (10.10 Rome time), the A320neo plane of the Aegean company with Pope Francis on board landed in Athens, the capital of Greece, after a two-hour flight from Cyprus. In addition to the representatives of the authorities, there were also four children to welcome the Pontiff. The visit to Cyprus, the first stage of the Pope's apostolic journey, ended this morning at 8.00, with the farewell ceremony held at Larnaca International Airport. "Deep gratitude" for the "warm welcome and hospitality" were expressed by Francis to the Cypriot nation, in the farewell telegram from this country, to which he assured "prayers for peace and prosperity". Now the second stage of this begins. 35. Apostolic Journey. In Athens, today's day of the Pontiff includes, in the morning, a courtesy visit to the head of state, Katerina Sakellaropoulou and a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps; in the afternoon, instead , the Pope will see Ieronymos II, Orthodox archbishop of Athens and of all Greece and will meet bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians and catechists in the cathedral of San Dionigi. In the evening, finally, the private meeting with the Jesuit brothers, at the Nunciature.

A pilgrimage to the sources, of fraternity and humanity, a visit to the peoples of Greece and Cyprus, “magnificent lands blessed by history, culture and the Gospel”. This was one of the ways in which Francis described his journey which, until 6 December, sees him in these two countries. Both in the video message, sent to the inhabitants before the trip, and in the audience on the eve of departure, the Pope always spoke of the importance of this pilgrimage in the footsteps of Paul and Barnabas the Apostles: a visit to a wounded humanity, the one that has the face of migrants, and meeting with the Catholic brothers and sisters of Greece and Cyprus, "little flocks" loved by the Lord, to whom Francis transmits "with affection the encouragement of the whole Catholic Church", as confirmed by Monsignor Dimitrios Salachas, titular bishop by Grazianopoli, Apostolic Exarch Emeritus of Greece:

Monsignor Salachas, what words do the Catholics of Greece expect from Pope Francis? In his video message, the Holy Father, addressing the Catholic faithful gathered in these lands in small flocks, recalls the words of Jesus: "Do not be afraid, little flock". He therefore comes to Greece to bring the encouragement of the whole Catholic Church to our little flock. In recent decades, the number of Catholics in the country has increased due to the massive immigration of populations coming in particular from the Middle East, the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Latin America. In this new social context, the Catholic Church is present with its various ecclesial institutions and pastoral activities, charitable and educational assistance. Compared to 10 million inhabitants, mostly Orthodox faithful, Catholics are therefore a small multinational minority. The encouragement that Catholics in Greece expect from the Holy Father consists above all in confirming this small flock in faith and in full communion with the Apostolic See of Rome and its bishop, successor of Peter. It is a spiritual and pastoral encouragement to feel like a member of the universal Catholic Church. Greek Catholics, refugees and immigrants, belonging to various traditions: Latin, Greek-Catholic, Ukrainian, Armenian-Catholic, Syrian-Catholic, Chaldean-Iraqi, do not feel like a minority, but fully Catholic. In fact, we know that the Church of Christ, a saint, catholic and apostolic, is neither oriental, nor western, nor Greek, nor Latin, but it is catholic. In this sense, the Catholic Church of Greece does not feel as a small flock, as a minority, but as part of the universal Church, part of the great Apostolic Church.

In relations with the Orthodox, however, how does the Catholic Church of Greece as a whole express itself? What are relationships like today? Catholic citizens do not suffer from being a minority, they feel fully Greek, heirs of a glorious history. However, the past still weighs heavily in the memory of the Greeks, such as: the schism of 1054 between Rome and Constantinople; the crusades; the capture of Constantinople by the Turks; the failure of the Council of Florence; domination by the West. All this is always present in the psychology of the Greek Orthodox. It will certainly take some time to erase the story and create another one, to regain trust. In this process, the small Catholic community with its hierarchy, its clergy, men and women religious and faithful, offers its contribution of humanity, culture and progress. In the midst of the Orthodox brothers, this little flock offers a witness of unity, an example of fraternity and ecumenical commitment. In fact, relations with the Orthodox hierarchy are limited to those of social courtesy, they do not extend to ecumenical initiatives, for example of common prayer. However, there is no lack of personal relationships between bishops, priests and theologians, therefore it should be remembered that the Orthodox Church of Greece, as well as that of Cyprus, actively participate in the official theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole, that is national patriarchates and autocephalous churches. In summary, it can be seen that in Greece ecumenism still encounters difficulties and obstacles, it is slow, but it should also be added that, in every corner of the country where Catholic citizens live, especially in the islands, relations with Orthodox citizens are peaceful, fraternal, esteem and collaboration. Our Catholic schools, educational, social and charitable institutions, are attended by a large majority of the faithful, especially young Orthodox, so this is very positive, it is a beautiful testimony.

Lesbos represents a symbol with the burden of suffering of migrants, and the Pope will visit it again, with the memory of 2016 when he went for the first time. Is this stage once again intended to be a reminder of the international community? It is true that for the second time the Pope will go to Lesbos, to meet the refugees and to call back the international community to this tragic problem of so many populations uprooted from their lands, in the hope of a better destiny in life. Greece cannot bear it, it cannot face everything alone, it urgently needs the help of the international community to tackle this problem of thousands and thousands of immigrants who arrive every day on the coasts, especially the islands. The Catholic Church in Greece, despite its few possibilities and resources, carries out a diligent activity to assist these populations who arrive every day through the islands, but it needs the international community, a need not only for economic reasons, but for human solidarity. Moreover, the health situation is slowly advancing in our country already shaken by the economic and migratory crisis. The Greek national Caritas, obviously supported by the Caritas of various countries, carries out an intense activity to meet the multiple needs of thousands and thousands of immigrants who arrive every day in Greece, in often tragic situations. We all know that the Mediterranean Sea has now become a cemetery for thousands of these peoples. Then, returning the Pope for the second time to Lesbos to meet the refugees, the urgent appeal to fraternity and solidarity will resume. Lesbos is indeed a symbol for the whole world. There will certainly be a new and urgent appeal to the international community. This is the symbolic, but also effective, meaning of the Pope's presence in Lesbos. Last updated at 10.26

TRANSLATION OF: FROM ITALIAN TO ENGLISH: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/chiesa/news/2021-12/cattolici-grecia-importante-contributo-umanita-cultura-progresso.html