Dear Archbishop Levada,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am pleased to welcome your ecumenical delegation of Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Anglicans from the San Francisco area. This pilgrimage, which coincides with the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, is a testimony to your commitment to the growth of Christian unity through sincere dialogue, common prayer and fraternal cooperation in the service of the Gospel. It is my hope that your visit to this City, blessed by the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul and the memory of the early martyrs, will deepen your love of Jesus Christ and your zeal for the spread of his Kingdom. At a time of conflict and grave unrest in our world, I pray that your witness to the Gospel message of reconciliation, solidarity and love will be a sign of hope and a promise of the unity of a humanity reborn and renewed in the grace of Christ. Upon you and your communities I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings.