At the conclusion of the General Audience today, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that January 18 begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the theme of which this year is St. Paul’s invitation to the Thessalonians: Pray without ceasing.”

The Week, said the Holy Father, "has special significance because a hundred years have passed since its inception.”

He continued, “It is necessary to pray without ceasing, insistently asking God for the great gift of unity among all the Lord's disciples. May the endless strength of the Holy Spirit move us to a sincere commitment to seek unity, so that all together we may profess that Jesus is the one Savior of the world.”