Vatican City, Jan 17, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Speaking before an estimated 8,000 pilgrims gathered at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called the Christian ecumenical movement unique from other religious dialogues and initiatives because of its common union in Christ.
He dedicated his catechesis during today's general audience to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins today.
The Holy Father began by pointing out that The Week of Prayer represents "an important opportunity to reflect upon the drama of division within the Christian community and to ask, together with Jesus Himself, that 'all might be one, ... that the world may believe'."
"Prayer for the 'union of all'“, he said, “involves - in different forms, times and ways - Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants, united by faith in Jesus Christ, the one Lord and Savior."