Patriarch Attending Synod

Patriarch Bartholomew I and Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's tomb.
Patriarch Bartholomew I and Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's tomb. (photo: CNS/Reuters)

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, will attend the World Synod of Bishops that opens on Sunday in Rome.

The announcement was made by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

The synod’s theme is “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”

Archbishop Eterovic told Vatican Radio Oct. 1 that the Orthodox patriarch’s presence at the gathering of prayer and reflection on the Word of God is a “reminder” of St. Paul, whom the Church is commemorating this year on the 2,000th anniversary of the apostle’s birth.

Pope Benedict XVI will preside over an opening Mass on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The synod, which runs until Oct. 26, will be attended by 253 cardinals and bishops and 41 experts.

— Tom McFeely

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis