The Russian Orthodox Church decided Monday to sever ties with the leader of the worldwide Orthodox community after his decision to grant Ukrainian clerics independence from the Moscow Patriarchate.

“Walking, praying and working together: This is the great path that we are called to follow.”

The W.C.C. general secretary described Francis’ visit as “a strong signal of recognition by the Catholic world.”

“Our continuing participation could result in me advocating for two different, and even contradictory, positions,” Bishop Deeley wrote.

Pope Francis asked the bishops of Germany to continue working together to find broader consensus on guidelines for allowing a Protestant married to a Catholic to receive the Eucharist.

In at least three Latin American countries, Catholics have become religious minorities.