Francis is in Sweden to participate in the ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. He was welcomed by the Swedish prime minister, Stefan Löfven, the Minister of Culture, Mrs. Alice Bah Kuhnke-and some members of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) who invited him.
Malmo (AsiaNews) - "This trip is an important trip because it is an ecclesial journey, highly ecclesial in the field of ecumenism”: this is how Francis defined his one day visit to Sweden, where he arrived just before 11 am local time, to participate in the ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
The Pope, was welcomed at Malmo airport by the Swedish prime minister, Stefan Löfven, the Minister of Culture, Mrs. Alice Bah Kuhnke-and some members of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) who invited him to participate in the commemoration ceremony.
Francis first appointment was a courtesy visit to the Swedish royal family in the royal palace in Kungshuset in Lund.
The second pope to visit Sweden, after John Paul II in 1989, Francis is undertaking a difficult journey. The motto "From conflict to communion. Together in hope "and the intention to also commemorate the fifty years of official dialogue between Lutherans and Catholics is also criticized, if not a disputed by a part of the Catholic world. Francis probably had this in mind when, on the flight that was taking him to Sweden, greeting journalists he told them: "Your work will help foster understanding, so that people understand this well."
After the visit to the Swedish royal family, the ecumenical part of the trip will start properly: The Pope visits the Lutheran cathedral in Lund for an "ecumenical prayer" and after the Malmo Arena for an "ecumenical event", followed by the meeting with the delegations present.