Pope Francis appeals for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue
By Vatican News staff writer
After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis said he is following with concern about the increase in violence and fighting that has taken place in the State of Palestine and Israel over the past months. He recalled last Wednesday's appalling attacks in Jerusalem that killed a young Israeli boy and injured many others, while noting that a Palestinian boy died in armed clashes the same day during clashes in Nablus.
The Pope pointed out that violence kills the future, shattering the lives of the young and weakening hopes for peace. He called on everyone to pray "for these young men who died and for their families, especially their mothers."
The Pope also expressed his hopes that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities "will more readily take to heart" the search for dialogue and building mutual trust, essential if there is to be peace in the Holy Land.
Pope remembers Ischia flood victims, women suffering violence
By Vatican News staff writer
Greetings pilgrims following the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope asked everyone to remember in their prayers the people of the Italian island of Ischia recovering from heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides killing two persons with eleven others missing, according to latest reports. The Pope said he is praying for the victims, those suffering, and all the rescue workers.
The Pope also greeted participants taking part in a march this morning to denounce sexual violence against women, noting that unfortunately it is a widespread reality everywhere, and is even used as a weapon of war. On that issue, he also encouraged everyone to be tireless in saying no to war, no to violence, but yes to dialogue, yes to peace, especially for the martyred people of Ukraine, recalling yesterday's anniversary of the tragedy of the Holodomor.
The Pope also remembered Burkhard Scheffler, a homeless man who died from the cold three days ago in the colonnade of Saint Peter's Square.
He then addressed his greetings to the various groups in the Square, including, the secretariat of the International Forum of Catholic Action (FIAC), gathered in Rome for its 8th Assembly.
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