Pope says when Christians pray together they get taste of unity

Published: 2005-01-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Christians gather to pray together for unity, they get a small taste of the joy they will experience when all Christians are one, Pope John Paul II said. Reciting the Angelus Jan. 23 in the midst of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the pope prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary would help all Christians "to overcome every obstacle and obtain this gift (of unity) as soon as possible." "I make a heartfelt plea to all believers, especially young people, to continue their ecumenical commitment throughout the year and to become everywhere instruments and witnesses of the full communion invoked by Christ," the pope said. Addressing thousands of visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pope asked all Christians to intensify their prayers and programs during the week of prayer.

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