WCC to Pope Leo: 'the world needs justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity'

In a letter to Pope Leo XIV, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator of the central committee Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations.

"This moment marks not only a new chapter in the leadership of the Catholic Church but also a renewed opportunity for deepening the bonds of ecumenical friendship and cooperation," the letter reads. "In the homily you shared after your election you focused on being a missionary church, synodality, peace, and building bridges, these resonate extremely well with the World Council of Churches."

The letter notes that these directions are precisely what the world needs now in these times of turbulence, wars, violence, and climate, economic, and gender injustices. "The world needs justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity," the letter reads. "The WCC cherishes the enduring ecumenical contributions of the Catholic Church, which have continually advanced the cause of Christian unity and enriched the global Christian witness."

This shared pilgrimage reflects and affirms the vision of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, the letter notes.

"The WCC stands ready to continue walking alongside with you as with our Catholic sisters and brothers in this pilgrimage, confident that the Holy Spirit will guide and sustain our shared vocation toward unity in the love of Christ," the letter reads.

Read the full letter:

Geneva, 9 May 2025

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26).

Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

On behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the global fellowship of churches we represent, we wish to convey our heartfelt greetings and congratulations to you and the whole Roman Catholic Church at your election as the new Bishop of Rome, the Pope Leo XIV.

This moment marks not only a new chapter in the leadership of the Catholic Church but also a renewed opportunity for deepening the bonds of ecumenical friendship and cooperation. We recognize with gratitude the enduring legacy of Pope Francis, who through the synodal way championed a vision of the Church as a community of listening and dialogue, walking together in the Spirit. His commitment to opening the Church to the voices of the marginalized and fostering a culture of encounter has inspired Christians across traditions.

In the homily you shared after your election you focused on being a missionary church, synodality, peace, and building bridges, these resonate extremely well with the World Council of Churches. These directions are precisely what the world needs now in these times of turbulence, wars, violence, climate, economic and gender injustices. The world needs justice, peace, reconciliation and unity.

The WCC cherishes the enduring ecumenical contributions of the Catholic Church, which have continually advanced the cause of Christian unity and enriched the global Christian witness. This shared pilgrimage reflects and affirms the vision of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, where Christians from diverse traditions walk together, listening to the Spirit and to one another, learning from these shared experiences, and growing together into deeper communion in Christ.

As the Catholic Church continues to harvest the spiritual, theological, and pastoral fruits of the synodal way-deepening the culture of discernment and dialogue-we pray that you as the new Pope will further this rich heritage. We trust you will nurture a Church attuned to the voice of the Spirit and committed to building bridges that transcend confessional and cultural boundaries. Your words in your first speech were a very encouraging expression of exactly this will. The WCC stands ready to continue walking alongside with you as with our Catholic sisters and brothers in this pilgrimage, confident that the Holy Spirit will guide and sustain our shared vocation toward unity in the love of Christ.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV as you assume this vital ministry for the life of the Roman Catholic Church, the broader Christian community, and the world.

We look forward to meeting with you in the near future as we have met with previous Popes.

In the Risen Christ,

Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
Moderator
World Council of Churches central committee

Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches