Archbishop and Pope to recite Lord’s Prayer at noon

THE Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis will join forces to encourage millions of Christians to come together for a worldwide recital of the Lord’s Prayer.

The Most Rev Justin Welby, the most senior bishop in the Church of England, and Pope Francis, who is the global head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City, have called on Christians to “unite us in testing times”.

The religious leaders are asking people to recite the Lord’s Prayer at noon today.

The Pope tweeted: “We want to respond to the virus pandemic with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness. Let us stay united. I invite all Christians to direct their voices together toward Heaven, reciting the Our Father on Wednesday, 25 March, at noon. #Praytogether.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury added: “I’ll be praying the Lord’s Prayer with Pope Francis and millions around the world. Please join us wherever you are. Prayer unites us in testing times. #Praytogether.”

Their announcement came as the Church of England said it is closing all of its buildings with immediate effect in order to limit the spread of coronavirus.

This means funerals and churches cannot take place inside Church of England buildings while baptisms will only be performed in “emergencies” in hospitals or private homes.

The coronavirus has claimed more than 17,000 lives around the world and there are currently more than 400,000 active cases. Yesterday, the Health Secretary announced that 422 deaths were in the UK.

Anglican officials suspended public worship and Sunday services on March 17 but kept churches open for private prayer, while bishops in London shut churches in the capital on Sunday. Yesterday, archbishops and bishops wrote to the clergy saying that only buildings used as food banks could remain open.

Clergy who are using live-streaming services to help their congregations worship should do so from their own homes, officials have urged.