On Sunday, Pope Francis invited different Christian denominations to the unique date of Easter in the spirit of unity.
. It is a happy coincidence that Easter of this ecumenical jubilee year is celebrated on the same day according to the Gregorian and Julian calendars. said Francis about 2025, which he declared a special year in which the faithful are invited to make a pilgrimage to Rome.
Western Christians follow the Gregorian calendar, which is Pope Gregory XIII. introduced in the 16th century when it was noticed that the existing calendar deviated from the seasons. Numerous Orthodox churches remained faithful to the Julian calendar from the time of Julius Caesar.
– Once again, I invite all Christians to understand this coincidence as an invitation to take a decisive step towards unity regarding the common date for Easter – said the Pope.
This year, Christians will celebrate their biggest holiday on April 20.