(ZENIT News / Rome, 28.04.2024).- The Pontifical Yearbook 2024, published by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, includes Pope Francis’ title of Bishop of Rome, as well as Patriarch of the West, which disappeared in 2006 at the request of Pope Benedict XVI.
It was Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity who in that year communicated that the title of “Patriarch of the West” was used in the year 642 by Pope Theodore I, and its use was strengthened during the 16th and 17th centuries, “in the framework of the multiplication of the Pope’s titles. It appeared for the first time in the Pontifical Yearbook in 1863.
Cardinal Kasper clarified that “the term West does not intend to describe an ecclesiastical territory, nor can it be used as the definition of a patriarchal territory.” The title Patriarch of the West” would describe the special relationship of the Bishop of Rome with the latter, and could express the special jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome for the Latin Church. “ The suppression of that title did not imply “new papal intentions” in face of the Churches of the East, as some negative reactions of theologians and Heads of the Orthodox Churches pointed out: it sought to express a “historical and theological realism” to leave an obsolete title aside.
Pope Francis seeks possibly to restore this title to emphasize synodality and the ecumenical task of always looking to the early centuries of Christianity, when there were no dogmatic tears between the Churches.
The title “Patriarch of the West” recalls the five seats of ancient Christianity during the first millennium: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, whose link rested on the Apostolic Tradition regarding particular differences. The five seats, with relations of a “pentarchy,” were in communion and were recognized by the imperial powers, according to historian Giorgio Morini, and were co-responsible “for the orthodoxy of the faith and the government of the universal Church.”
World conflicts are increasing today and ecumenical participation looks to the 17th centenary of the Council of Nicaea, “in which, among other things, the question of the regulation of the moment of the celebration of Easter was addressed.” The Patriarch added: “We are optimistic because there is good will and the disposition of both sides to do so. Because, in fact, it’s a scandal to celebrate separately the unique event of the Resurrection of the One Lord.”
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
