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First of all, it is now known that Pope John sees the renewal and purification of the Church as an absolutely necessary step toward Christian unity.

Far from being irrelevant to the ecumenical task, the Pontiff believes that a revivified Church is required in order that the whole world may see Catholicism in the best possible light.

Equally significant, Pope John has said that Catholics themselves bear some responsibility for Christian disunity.

A major aim of the Council will be to remove as far as possible whatever in the Church today stands in the way of unity.