Opening Christian unity week, pope urges Christians to pray for peace

Published: 2004-01-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Opening the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope John Paul II urged Christians of all churches to pray for peace, especially in the Middle East. "In a world that thirsts for peace, it is urgent for the Christian community to announce the Gospel in a harmonious way," the pope said Jan. 18. "It is indispensable that they witness the divine love that unites them and become bearers of joy, hope and peace," he said. The pope spoke at a noon blessing from his apartment window above St. Peter's Square. The theme of this year's Christian unity week is "My peace I give to you," Christ's words to his disciples at the Last Supper.

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