Vatican Radio REPORT Pope
Benedict XVI appealed for an end to conflicts around the world on Sunday.
Speaking to pilgrims and faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray the
Angelus with him, Pope Benedict especially prayed that, in the various
conflicts unfortunately under way around the world, “The slaughter of innocent
civilians should cease.” He went on to say, “Let there be an end to all
violence, and let there be found the courage to conduct dialogue and to
negotiate.” The Pope’s appeal for peace came in the context of a reflection on
the pressing need for a recovery of the full, visible communion of all
Christians, which Christ Himself desires for His Church. This Sunday falls in
the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – a theme to which the Pope
also turned in his English remarks to the faithful. Let us join our prayers to those of our brothers and sisters of all Churches and communities, that we may dedicate ourselves ever more earnestly to working towards our visible unity in Jesus Christ.
A convert and founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Fr. Paul Wattson began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 1908. It opens each year on the day of the traditional Feast of the Chair of St Peter (Jan. 18th,), and concludes on the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul (Jan 25th).
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
Comments