January 23, 2012. (Romereports.com) During the traditional Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI called for everyone's prayers for the unity of all Christians.
Benedict XVI
“Let us renew our prayer for the unity of all of Christ’s followers, and deepen our resolve to be one in him. Upon each of you and your loved ones at home, I invoke God’s blessings of peace and joy.”
The pope recalled that the texts used this year during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared in Poland, where the Christian faith has had a unifying and transformative effect on the country. Benedict XVI noted that unity requires an internal transformation to let in God.
Benedict XVI
“To use a phrase often repeated by Blessed Pope John Paul II, each gift is also a task. And so the unity that comes from God requires a daily commitment on our part to open ourselves to one another in charity.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will end on Wednesday with an ecumenical prayer in the Basilica of Rome's St. Paul Outside the Walls, for the feast of his conversion. There will also be members of other Christian denominations for the celebration.
Benedict XVI also sent his best wishes to the countries of the Orient that are celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, saying he hoped it would be full of justice and peace.
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