Vatican City (AsiaNews) - To form a single family is "the goal of humanity's great journey through the centuries, of course with all the differences that enrich, but without barriers, recognizing all equally as brothers", recalling his message for today's World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to 20 thousand people in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus. Benedict XVI also marked the beginning of the Week  of Prayer for Christian unity and to express his "joy" for the beatification of John Paul II.

Migration, he said, "is sometimes voluntary, sometimes, unfortunately, it is forced by war or persecution, and often takes place, as we know, in atrocious conditions." "Sometimes, unfortunately - he continued - Christians feel compelled to leave, with suffering, their land, thus impoverishing the countries where their ancestors have lived. On the other hand, the voluntary movement of Christians, for various reasons, from one city to another, from one country to another, from one continent to another, are an opportunity to increase the missionary zeal of the Word of God and allow the testimony of faith to circulate in the Mystical Body of Christ across the nations and cultures, reaching new frontiers, new environments. "

The theme of the papal message for the Day "One human family," affirms that "all people are one community," implying that "it is imperative that Christians, although scattered throughout the world and, therefore, of different cultures and traditions, may be one, as the Lord wishes. And 'this is the purpose of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity", which will take place in the coming days, January 18 to 25. This year it is inspired by a passage from the Acts of the Apostles: " One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer” (Acts 2.42). The Octave for Christian Unity is preceded, tomorrow, by the day of Jewish-Christian dialogue: a very significant juncture, which recalls the importance of the common roots that unite Jews and Christians. In addressing the Virgin Mary, in the Angelus prayer, we entrust to his protection of all migrants and those who engage in pastoral work among them. "

After the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI recalled that "the 1 May will have the joy of beatifying the Venerable Servant of God, John Paul II, my beloved predecessor. The date is significant: it will be the Second Sunday of Easter, which he dedicated to Divine Mercy, on the eve of which his earthly life ended. Those who knew him, those who have respected and loved him, can not but rejoice with the Church for this event. " "This news - he added, addressing Polish pilgrims - was eagerly awaited by all and, in particular, by you, for whom my venerable Predecessor has been a leader in faith, truth and freedom. I urge you to a deep spiritual preparation for this event. "