January 19, 2011. During the general audience catechesis, Benedict XVI encouraged prayer for the unity of the Church based on the example of the first Christians.

In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope invited the imitation of “the four basic elements that characterized the first Christian communities to build the unity of the Church.”

Benedict XVI
“'They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers'  – Invites us to reflect on four pillars of unity found in the life of the early Church.”

According to the Pope the four pillars are made up of the fidelity to the Gospel, the unity of believers, the Eucharist, and prayer, which today's Christians must rely on to seek the unity of the Church.

Benedict XVI
“During this Week, let us pray that all Christians will grow in fidelity to the Gospel, in fraternal unity and in missionary zeal, in order to draw all men and women into the saving unity of Christ's Church.” 

Among the crowd of 2,500 people who attended the audience, many came from Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and the United States, as well as the Solemn Choir of the Lutheran Church from Finland.

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-JM
-BN