BENEDICT XVI: THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANS, "DO NOT LOSE HEART"

” “"The path to unity certainly remains long and difficult; but one must not lose heart and keep walking on", relying on the help of Christ who "promised to His people: ‘Here, I am with you every day till the end of the world’": these are the words that the Pope used this morning to open the general Wednesday audience, which was about the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians that is starting tomorrow. To the people attending the audience, over five thousand, including many delegates of the local police forces, Benedict XVI said that the Week is a "strong time of commitment and prayer for all Christians". Then, he highlighted that he will conclude it himself in the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, on January 25th with the celebration of the Vespers, to which leaders of other churches and church communities of Rome have been invited. In reference to his recent journey to Turkey, the Pontiff added: "I could feel how much unity was longed for in the meetings I had with the leaders of the churches and church communities over the years and in a very moving way in my recent visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, in Istanbul, Turkey. On these and more experiences that have expanded my heart to hope, I will go back next Wednesday". (to be continued)” ” ” ” ” “