Vatican City, Jul 1, 2009 / 08:18 am
For the month of July, Pope Benedict XVI has chosen two prayer intentions that focus on unity and reconciliation throughout the world.
The Pope's general intention centers on the Middle East, which has been convulsed by violence in recent months. His intention is: "That the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be an instrument of peace and reconciliation."
The Holy Father's mission intention has a broader scope. The Pontiff is praying, "That the Church may be the seed and nucleus of a humanity reconciled and reunited in God's one and only family, thanks to the testimony of all the faithful in every country of the world."