Vatican City, Feb 10, 2015 / 12:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis encouraged the bishops of Greece to engage in dialogue and solidarity, values he said are particularly necessary in fighting pessimism during the country's ongoing financial crisis.

Fraternal communion is “indispensable for the growth of the Church in Greece, as well as for the progress of all of society,” he said Feb. 5 to the Greek bishops, who had come to Rome for their ad limina visit.