Pope Francis introduces Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

After the Angelus on Sunday 17 January, Pope Francis noted that “tomorrow is an important day” as it opens the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, encouraging the faithful to pray that Christ’s prayer “that all may be one” (Jn 17:21) may be fulfilled. Reflecting on this year’s theme “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (Jn 15:9), Pope Francis concluded “In these days, let us pray together so that Jesus’s desire might be accomplished – that all may be one: unity, which is always superior to conflict”.

The Week of Prayer will conclude with a restricted celebration of Vespers, in full respect of Covid–19 regulations, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls together with representatives of other Churches and Christian communities present in Rome.