Francis calls for
prayer and fasting
for peace in Syria
Imploring peace in Syria, Pope Francis Sunday called upon peace makers
around the world to fast and gather for prayer next Saturday, Sept. 7th.
He said prayer services will be conducted in St. Peter’s Square
beginning at 7 PM and lasting to midnight.
“I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church Sept. 7th, the vigil of
the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in
Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each
person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all
men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this
initiative.”
“We will gather together in prayer, in a spirit of penitence, to ask
from God this great gift [of peace] for the beloved Syrian nation and for all
the situations of conflict and violence in the world, ” he said.
“Never again war!” said Francis. “We want a peaceful world. We
want to be men and women of peace.”
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Francis also issued a forceful condemnation of the use of chemical
weapons. “There is the judgment of God, and also the judgment of history, upon
our actions,” he said, “ [judgments] from which there is no escaping.” He
called on all parties to conflicts to pursue negotiations, and urged the
international community to take concrete steps to end conflicts, especially the
war in Syria.
“Humanity needs to see gestures of peace,” said Pope Francis, “and to
hear words of hope and of peace.”
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