Theme for Pope’s visit to Holy Land set as Ut unum sint

The Holy Father is making a pilgrimage this May 24-26. The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land held a planning meeting in Tiberias where they settled on a theme and logo for Francis and the ecumenical as Ut unum sint. The logo (seen here) shows the embrace of Saints and Apostles Peter and Andrew. The two are known as the first-called by Jesus in Galilee, patrons respectively of the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople.

The news was announced by Terra Sancta.

This is not merely a “trip” but a pilgrimage. The distinction focuses attention to the spiritual and fraternal aspects of being present in a particular place for a particular reason.

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew will meet in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in order to commemorate and renew the yearning for unity among Christians. The meeting recalls a similar meeting 50 years ago of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem.