In a dramatic gesture many would never have anticipated, Pope Francis traveled to Sweden this week to help launch commemorations for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Francis and leaders of the Lutheran World Federation pledged to improve relations and work toward healing centuries of conflict and sometimes violent schism. They agreed to partner on issues including helping refugees and caring for the planet. The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 after Martin Luther, then a Catholic priest, issued a series of complaints about Catholic Church practices. Francis praised Luther for highlighting the centrality of Scripture.

The pope also raised eyebrows on his return trip. During a news conference on the plane, Francis was asked whether the Church’s ban on female priests would ever be changed. He responded by citing Pope John Paul II, who said the ban was an infallible part of church teaching. When the reporter pressed him about whether that meant forever, Francis responded, “It is going in that direction.”