"In this age of globalisation and at the same time of fragmentation, without prayer, the ecumenical facilities, institutions and programs would be deprived of their heart and their soul". Lingering on the "health" of ecumenism, at today’s general audience in the presence of Karekin II, the Pope renewed the warning launched during his recent apostolic journey to the United States, as he mentioned the "centrality of prayer in the ecumenical movement", in the Church of St. Joseph in New York. "Ut unum sint! This invitation of Christ’s always resounds in our heart", commented Benedict XVI as he rendered thanks unto the Lord "for the targets achieved in ecumenical dialogue thanks to the action of His Spirit". "Let’s remain meek in listening to His voice exhorted the Pope , so that our hearts, replete with hope, will endlessly cover the path that leads to the full communion of all the disciples of Christ". "Love, joy, peace, patience, benevolence, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-possession": these are the gifts of the Spirit invoked by the Pope "for all Christians, so that in the common and generous service to the Gospel they can be in the world a sign of God’s love for mankind".
