蜜桃交友

By Philippa Hitchen

Speaking at the recitation of the Angelus prayer last Sunday, the Pope invited all women and men of goodwill to join him in praying for an end to violence and conflict, especially in South Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Addressing the crowds gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square, the Pope said: 鈥淔aced with the tragic protracted situations of conflict in different parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to take part in a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace鈥�.

Noting that February 23rd falls on a Friday during the first full week of Lent, the Pope asked people to pray especially for those suffering violence in the DRC and in South Sudan, where political unrest and a protracted civil war continues to claim thousands of lives.

Say no to violence
 

Pope Francis said: 鈥淓veryone, in their own conscience, before God, should ask 鈥榳hat can I do for peace?'鈥� 鈥淪urely, we can pray鈥�, he said, 鈥渂ut not only: each one of us can say 鈥榥o鈥� to violence in their own way鈥�.

A statement from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on Tuesday stressed that the Pope specifically asked members of other faiths to join in the initiative in any way they can. Highlighting the vital role that religions play in achieving and consolidating peace, the statement urged members of other faith communities to take up the appeal and to join in 鈥渕oments of prayer, fasting and reflection, according to their own traditions and in their own places of worship鈥�.