The Pope reaffirmed the recognition of the Creed in its original version without Filioque

Pope Francis, in an official message marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, announced that the Catholic Church recognizes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed in its original form, without the later Latin insertion of Filioque («and of the Son»). The move emphasizes the common basis of faith for all Christians and is an important gesture in the dialogue between the Eastern and Western Churches.

The Pontiff, in his address dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, noted that the Council of Nicaea gave the world the basic formula of Christian confession, uniting all followers of Christ. He recalled that the dogma of the Holy Spirit was finally formulated at the First Council of Constantinople in 381, and cited the original text: «We believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord, life-giving, proceeding from the Father, with the Father and the Son, adored and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.»

The addition of Filioque, stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds not only from the Father but «also from the Son,» was introduced into the Western Church in the following centuries and was one of the key dogmatic divergences that led to the Great Schism of 1054. The Pope’s recognition of the original formulation is a significant step towards overcoming the historical differences.

The pontiff emphasized that the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is «the common confession of all Christian traditions,» including the ecclesial communities that emerged as a result of the Reformation. According to him, «no confession of faith belonging to a particular liturgical tradition can contradict this expression of faith taught and professed by the undivided Church.»

The Pope concluded his message by calling for unity, noting, «Indeed, what unites us is far greater than what divides us.» He expressed his hope for joint witness to the Gospel and movement towards full unity of all Christians on the basis of common faith in the One God, the Son of God Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Recall, earlier we reported that Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria will take part in the solemn events at the Phanar, timed to coincide with the Memorial Day of St. Andrew the Apostle. The head of the Patriarchate of Alexandria will perform a joint Divine Service with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, which will also be attended by Pope Leo XIV of Rome.