On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the successor of the Apostle Peter. Among the many greeters are leaders of various Christian denominations and other religions.
Jānis Evertovskis – Vatican
Pope Francis is greeted on the 10th anniversary of his pontificate by the head of the Jewish community of Rome Riccardo Di Sengi, the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and others.
“The number 10 is an important, symbolic number,” writes Rabbi Di Senji in a congratulatory telegram. “This is the basis of our counting system. A hand has 10 fingers. For those who study the Bible, the number 10 reminds us of the Ten Commandments, the 10 main words with which the world was created, and also, according to Moses, the rebellion of the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness. Here is an important number of the year of celebration for us”. The rabbi wishes the Pope good health, much strength and especially wisdom as he continues to lead the people entrusted to him. The leader of the Jewish community also wishes that Francis will continue to maintain these special bonds of friendship with the Jewish people.
Pope Francis is warmly welcomed by Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople on the 10th anniversary of his pontificate. The head of the Orthodox Church says that during these ten years their friendship and cooperation, especially in bringing comfort and peace to God’s people and promoting care for all of God’s creation, has brought them both closer in their common with confidence and determination to see and accept the Lord’s presence in the least of our brothers and sisters. Bartholomew praises the wise action of Francis and wishes her well For many years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion admits that he was very nervous when he first met Francis. He had never met the Pope before and did not know what to think and expect. However, at the very first meeting, Welby saw that Francis is very human, who deals with the truth, does not allow compromises, and has infinite respect for every person. In addition, the Pope is open on moral issues, looks at problems from a different point of view. He can unlock even the most hardened hearts with his love. The Anglican archbishop praises the Pope’s intellectual abilities and character, his depth of heart, as well as his simplicity, which is a blessing, he says, not only to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the whole Church.
