Praying and Fasting For Peace In Syria

Francis calls for

prayer and fasting

for peace in Syria

Thomas C. Fox  |  Sep. 1, 2013

 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.”