Before praying, the pope addressed a few words to all Christians, so they could remember why he proposed this initiative.
POPE FRANCIS
Dear brothers and sisters, today we have gathered all the Christians in the world to pray together the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus has taught us. As trusting children, we turn to the Father. We do it every day, many times a day. But at this time we want to ask for mercy for humanity that is severely tested by the coronavirus pandemic. We do it together, Christians from every church and community, of every age, language and nation.
Our Father...
The pope prayed for the sick, their families, doctors, nurses, volunteers, law enforcement and authorities.
The prayer took place in the room where he normally receives official visits. It is a place where Christians of other denominations are always present. In fact, on his desk is a photo of when he met with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. He participated from the patriarchate headquarters in Istanbul.
PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
Let us all pray together at noon, according to the invitation and proposal of His Holiness the Pope with the Lord's Prayer, invoking the grace of our Heavenly Father.
The idea of calling all Christians to pray their common prayer was launched last Sunday by surprise, at the end of the Angelus.
Javier Romero
Translation: Melissa Butz
