Scottish Catholic Observer

The Moderator also spoke to the Holy Father this morning about the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland having never been more cordial or productive than it is now.

Speaking after the audience, Mr Chalmers said ‘It was immediately apparent I was in the presence of a man of prayer and a humble human being’

“We spoke of our joint belief in the power of cooperation against a background of challenge and increasing radicalisation in the world,” he said “We agreed to work for peace through our common faith, and I expressed a hope that a pastoral visit by His Holiness to Scotland would be appreciated by all faiths.”

Mr Chalmers told Pope Francis that events, such as the joint service marking the 450th anniversary of the Reformation, would have been unthinkable when he was younger, but both churches had travelled a long and significant ecumenical journey.