RELATIONS BETWEEN ROME AND MOSCOW SHOW SIGNS OF IMPROVING

Relations between the Catholic Church of Rome and the Orthodox Church of Russia have been icy cold for years. Signs are now emerging that the long freeze may be ending, and the ice is starting to thaw.

On 19 December 2005 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome and Patriarch of the West, addressed the people in front of the Church of Santa Maria Consolatrice outside Rome.

Pope Benedict said: 'We need to give more happiness and goodness to each other during these days of the Nativity. Happiness is the true gift of the Nativity. You all can give happiness. By helping other people their happiness will return to you', His Holiness said.

The Roman Pontifex was sad 'the Lord is missing in this world. People live in anaesthesia'. 'They lead their lives in a dark world', he said.

Interestingly, the speech, which was unexceptional, was reported on the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate. Observers see this as an indication the Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II hopes avenues for fruitful discussion between the two patriarchates will open in the not too distant future.

source: http://www.sedmitza.ru/index.html?sid=628&did=29127