Pope Francis concludes Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Geneva

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis flew back to Rome after an “Ecumenical Pilgrimage” to the Swiss city of Geneva. The Pope made his 23^rd Apostolic Journey outside Italy to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The WCC is a worldwide fraternity that comprises 345 different churches and ecclesial communities in more than 100 countries.

During his one-day visit, the Holy Father spoke at an ecumenical prayer service, and later at an ecumenical meeting, both at the WCC Ecumenical Centre.

Pope Francis also had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the WCC during lunch at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey.

The final event of the Pilgrimage was Holy Mass celebrated by the Pope at Geneva's Palexpo Convention Center.

During the homily at Mass, Pope Francis reflected on the Our Father, saying the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to be a Church focused on God, which finds the Spirit of unity in forgiveness.