# Lifting of the 1054 excommunications (1965)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1965-lifting-of-the-1054-excommunications
Location: Rome and Istanbul
Themes: Theology

Paul VI and Athenagoras I lift the mutual excommunications. At this point in the timeline (7 December 1965), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Paul VI (21 June 1963 – 6 August 1978).

## Why it matters
Lifting of the 1054 excommunications mattered because it changed the boundaries of communion between Christian churches, divisions that still shape Christianity today.

Pope at the time: [Pope Paul VI](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-paul-vi)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Athenagoras I of Constantinople](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenagoras_I_of_Constantinople)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Lifting of the 1054 excommunications](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Lifting+of+the+1054+excommunications)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)