This morning, at 11.30, following the Holy Father’s announcement after the Angelus on Sunday 15 January, a press conference was livestreamed from the Holy See Press Office to present the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil and the initiative Together – Gathering of the People of God, on the eve of the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”.

The Ecumenical Prayer Vigil, which will be presided over by Pope Francis, forms part of an ecumenical initiative organized by the Taizé Community in collaboration with the diocese of Rome, the General Secretariat of the Synod, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, as well as numerous other Christian churches and ecclesial and ecumenical associations.

The speakers will be His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., archbishop of Luxembourg, general rapporteur of the 16^thOrdinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops; Frère Alois, prior of the Taizé Community; His Grace Archbishop Ian Ernest, personal representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See, director of the Anglican Centre in Rome; His Eminence Khajag Barsamian, representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Holy See (Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin); and Pastor Christian Krieger, president of the Conference of European Churches and of the French Protestant Federation.

The press conference will also be attended by various heads and representatives of Vatican dicasteries, the diocese of Rome and the Christian Churches and communities, as auditors.