The Pope calls for prayer and personal commitment to Christian Unity
Vatican City (AsiaNews) Speaking before a crowd of 20,000 faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for the Angelus on a cold and sunny Sunday, the Pope spoke about the 'Week of Prayer for Christian Unity' reasserting the Church's will to overcome any obstacle that might be on the path towards Christian Unity, knowing full well though, that it is above all a gift from God.
The Holy Father recommended to everyone, especially the young, to go beyond the current week and commit to ecumenism "throughout the year".
Appearing in good physical conditions, he said: "The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is currently underway and in Rome will end with the celebration of Vespers on January 25 in the Basilica St Paul outside the walls.
"I shall join in spirit that liturgy to which representatives of other Christian Churches and confessions will participate, and which Card Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity shall preside".
"I invite all Christian communities," the Pope added, "to live intensely this annual spiritual event. In a certain sense it anticipates the joy of full communion that we desire and that we invoke together."
"It is increasingly clear that unity is first and foremost a gift from God that we must tirelessly ask for in humility and truth."
"May Holiest Mary, Mother of the Church, help us overcome any obstacle and receive this gift."
"I urge every believer, especially the young, to continue their ecumenical commitment throughout the year and become everywhere an instrument and witness of the full communion invoked by Christ in the Cenacle".
After the Angelus, the Pope took advantage of the celebration in Rome of Catholic schools Daythis year's theme was 'Church, family and school: together to educateto express his hope that the "Church community and civil society always appreciate and support the valuable service offered by Catholic schools".
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16/01/2022 08:00
