Pope Francis calls for unity with Lutherans on 500th anniversary of the Reformation

Pope Francis encouraged Catholics and Lutherans to move together towards unity and let go of the controversies that divided Christianity in the past.

"We Christians will be credible witnesses of mercy to the extent that forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation are daily experienced in our midst," the Pope said in an ecumenical prayer service at the Lutheran's Lund cathedral in Sweden on Oct. 31, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.

The pope stated that the anniversary should be commemorated by Catholics by focusing on ways to communicate and strengthen the doctrinal agreements attained by Catholic and Lutheran theologians in the past five decades, the Catholic Herald reported.

Pope Francis also said that the event should be celebrated with common prayer and renewed commitments to work together toward alleviating poverty and promoting justice.

Lutherans saw the commemoration as an indication that there is a possibility of expanding the occasions when the Eucharist is shared. However, the Catholic Church insisted that it would only be possible if the Christians are fully united.

Rev. Martin Junge, secretary general of the Lutheran World Federation, is hoping for a shared Communion in the near future.

"Jesus Christ calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation," Junge said in his homily at the Lund Cathedral.

"We acknowledge that there is much more that unites us than that which separates us. We are branches of the same vine. We are one in baptism," he added.

Pope Francis stated in his homily that Catholics and Lutherans must "look with love and honesty at our past, recognizing error and seeking forgiveness." He warned that the division among Christians veers away from Christ's will for his disciples. He added that it causes others to doubt that Christianity is a religion of peace and fraternity.

Lutheran World Federation President Bishop Munib Yunan and the Pope signed a joint statement to commemorate the anniversary.

"We pray to God that Catholics and Lutherans will be able to witness together to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, inviting humanity to hear and receive the good news of God's redeeming action," the statement declared.