Christians must persevere in prayer for unity, pope says at audience

Published: 2008-05-07

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Despite the difficulties and divisions, Christians must persevere in prayer for full unity, Pope Benedict XVI said while the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church looked on. "We are certain that Our Lord Jesus will never abandon us in our quest for unity" as the Holy Spirit continues to sustain those who strive to overcome the divisions and heal "the lacerations in the living flesh of the church," the pope said. Just a few days before the feast of Pentecost, the pope shared the stage during his May 7 general audience in St. Peter's Square with Catholicos Karekin II, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The patriarch and a delegation of 18 bishops were in Rome May 6-10 to meet with the pope and Vatican officials, as well as scholars and students at various pontifical institutes. After warmly greeting and embracing the patriarch before the main audience, the pope thanked him for his dedication to ecumenism and his "personal commitment to the growing friendship" between the two churches.

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