From 18–25 January, Christians around the world are invited to take part in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year, special emphasis is placed on praying for peace in a world marked by war, conflict, and growing global tensions.
According to Vatican News, Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), has issued a call for united prayer for peace, stressing that unity among those baptised in Christ is a powerful instrument for peace throughout the world.
This call is echoed by Pope Leo XIV, who, speaking after the Angelus on 18 January, recalled the long history of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and its roots stretching back two centuries. He encouraged all Catholic communities to intensify their prayer for the full and visible unity of all Christians, underlining that this call to communion should shape reflection throughout the week.
The theme for this year’s Week of Prayer is “One body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). It reminds Christians that, despite different traditions, all belong to the one body of Christ and are called to live unity as a concrete expression of faith.
The prayers and reflections for 2026 were prepared by an ecumenical group coordinated by the Department for Interreligious Relations of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in cooperation with the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The resources are jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.
In a time when hope is fading in many parts of the world, praying together affirms Christians’ shared vocation to witness to the Gospel of Christ and to work for reconciliation and peace.
All are encouraged to join in prayer in their local parishes and communities.