"Pope Francis: ‘Status quo must be maintained’ for Eastern Catholics and Orthodox"

"On his recent visit to Romania, Pope Francis recalled the words of St. John Paul II that the Church 'breathes with two longs' but added that the 'status quo' of division between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches 'must be maintained.'

During a congenial repast on May 31, Pope Francis fielded questions from Jesuit priests... 

Father Basile Tofane asked the pope during the meeting with fellow Jesuits:

The Greek Catholic Church has played a very important role in our country. Some, however, say that this Church has fulfilled its historical role and that the faithful should choose to enter the Latin or Orthodox Church. But tomorrow you will beatify seven martyred bishops. This makes me understand that this Church has a future. What do you think?

The pope responded:

My position is that of Saint John Paul II. The Church breathes with two lungs. And the eastern lung can be Orthodox or Catholic. The status quo must be maintained. There is a whole culture and a pastoral life that must be preserved. But uniatism is no longer the way today. In fact, I’d say it’s not licit today."