The Breadth of the Pope's Ecumenism

Pope Francis is fulfilling Bible prophecy with his broad ecumenical vision. According to Revelation 17, Roman Catholicism is at the heart of the one-world religion that will yoke together with the Antichrist. Only Rome could fit the bill as the city on seven hills, and only Catholicism is clothed in purple and scarlet, has a golden cup in her hand, and is drunken with the blood of the martyrs. But the vision of Revelation 17 extends beyond Rome. The Harlot is a mother who has daughters and her reach is global (Rev. 17:15). Ecumenism has been “in the air” since the great world missionary conferences of the turn of the 20th century and the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. Francis is standing on the shoulders of popes such as John XXIII (who headed up Vatican II) and John Paul II (the personable jet-setting pope who was beloved of a long line of evangelicals led by Billy Graham). Francis is calling for unity among all Christians. And he is calling for unity with Jews. This month, when he received a delegation of the American Jewish Committee, he said that Catholics and Jews must work together “for a more just and fraternal world” (“Pope: Jews and Catholics,” AsiaNews.it, Feb. 13, 2014). Francis is even calling for unity with atheists. Last year he said, “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. ... Even the atheists! Everyone! ... And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace” (“Pope at Mass,” Vatican Radio, May 22, 2013). For his part, John Paul II included all of the world religions in the ecumenical vision, yoking multiple times with Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Bahai’s, Animists, etc. in prayer for world peace in Assisi, Italy.

(Friday Church News Notes, February 28, 2014, www.wayoflife.org [email protected], 866-295-4143)

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