Theological differences do not impede the witness of a shared love of God and neighbour.
The comment made by Pope Francis came during a first private audience with a Salvation Army delegation led by General André Cox.
Catholics and the Salvation Army, together with other Christians, recognise that those in need have a special place in God’s heart and as a result Catholics and Salvationists often meet at the same peripheries of society, the pope said.
The Salvation Army leader asked for the meeting because in recent years there have been “some pretty intensive and helpful and useful discussions” between Catholics and Salvationists.
General Cox said the talks revealed “so many points of faith that connect us together, but also our passion and commitment for social justice and work among the poor”.
“Many of the things he’s (the pope’s) been expressing really resonate with the heart of Salvationists around the world,” he said.
The General said Catholics and Salvationists were seeking practical ways to support each other and also align our message as we speak to the world on these issues.
General Cox described Pope Francis as “a peoples’ person”.
He said the pontiff spoke off-the-cuff and described his memory of walking, as a four-year old, with his grandmother in Argentina and seeing two Salvation Army ladies in their distinctive hats and uniforms.
Despite the prevailing Catholic view that Protestants “were destined to Hell”, Bergoglio’s grandmother told him they were “Protestants, but good people”, awakening in the young boy an opening to ecumenical encounter.
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