Pope Francis reflects on Christian unity

January 20, 2016

Interrupting his series of Wednesday catecheses on mercy, Pope Francis devoted his January 20 general audience to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The theme of the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9); the materials this year were developed in Latvia.

“In his Letter, Saint Peter encourages the first Christians to acknowledge the great gift received in Baptism and to live in a way worthy of it,” Pope Francis told the crowd in Paul VI Audience Hall, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks.

“This Week of Prayer invites us to reflect on, and bear witness to, our unity in Christ as God’s People,” the Pope continued. “All the baptized, reborn to new life in Christ, are brothers and sisters, despite our divisions.”

The Pope added:

Through Baptism we have been charged, as Saint Peter tells us, “to proclaim the mighty works of the one who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.” During this Week of Prayer, let us ask the Lord to help all Christians to grow in that unity which is greater than what divides us. Together, may we respond to his call to share with others, especially with the poor and forgotten of our world, the gift of divine mercy which we ourselves have received.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis General Audience 2016.01.20 (YouTube Vatican)
• L’Udienza Generale, 20.01.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Background: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (CWN, 1/18)