Perhaps it is an odd moment for Lutheran fan mail. Yet, ever since you became the Bishop of Rome in 2013, I have become increasingly convinced that you are the pope that Luther was looking for 500 years ago. Here are four reasons why.

An event at Georgetown University commemorates the 500th year of the Protestant reformation with a discussion on the progress of Catholic-Lutheran ecumenical efforts, revealing both remaining tensions and improved relations.

A leader in ecumenical relations, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor served as Catholic chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission for two decades.

What were once church-dividing teachings no longer define the majority of American Protestant belief.

The forthcoming joint message will ask people of all faiths "to adopt a respectful and responsible approach toward creation."

Bishop William Murphy calls for more nuance in discussing "the proper kind of religious influence in the secular sphere."