Pope: Do not stifle the word of the God of Peace, war is a defeat

By Michele Raviart

Pope Francis is deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and the risk of the conflict spreading from Gaza and Israel to other countries. After recent events in the region, he hopes that this conflict, “already particularly violent and bloody, will not spread further.”

Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for all the victims, “especially the innocent children,” and “for the peoples of Palestine, Israel and Lebanon,” expressing particular sympathy for the Druze community in the Holy Land, struck last week by a rocket that killed 12 children and teenagers playing on a soccer field.

Targeted attacks and assassinations can never be a solution

Pope Francis also called for “the courage to resume dialogue so that the fighting ceases immediately in Gaza and on all fronts and the hostages are freed,” helping the populations with humanitarian aid. Bombings, murders and violence serve no purpose, he added.

“Attacks, even targeted ones, and assassinations can never be a solution. They do not help to follow the path of justice, the path of peace, but generate even more hatred and vengeance. Enough, brothers and sisters! Enough! Let us not stifle the word of the God of Peace but let us make it the future of the Holy Land, of the Middle East and of the whole world! War is a defeat!”

All parties must seek the truth in Venezuela

Pope Francis then expressed his concern for Venezuela, “which is experiencing a critical situation” after the contested re-election of President Maduro.

“I warmly call on all parties to seek the truth, exercise restraint, avoid all forms of violence, resolve disputes through dialogue, and care about the true good of the people and not partisan interests.”

Pope’s prayer for victims of rains in India

Pope Francis, who entrusted the South American country to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto and the prayers of Blessed José Gregorio Hernandez, also addressed his thoughts to the people of India, particularly in Kerala, “severely affected by torrential rains that have caused numerous landslides, resulting in loss of life, many displaced people and significant damage.” The Pope invites everyone to join in his prayer, “for those who have lost their lives and for all those affected by such a devastating catastrophe.”

Justice and truth for the victims of the Beirut port explosion

Pope Francis also recalled the beatification, last Friday in Lebanon, of the Maronite Patriarch Stefano Douayhy. “A master of the faith and a zealous pastor, he was a witness of hope always at the side of the people,” during his period of leadership of the Maronite Church from 1670 to 1704, “a difficult time also marked by persecutions.”

“Even today, the Lebanese people are suffering greatly. I am thinking in particular of the families of the victims of the explosion at the port of Beirut. I hope that justice and truth will soon be served.”

On the occasion of the commemoration of Saint John Vianney and the day when, in some countries, the feast of the parish priest is celebrated, Pope Francis expressed his closeness and gratitude “to all those parish priests who, with zeal and generosity, sometimes in the midst of much suffering, dedicate themselves to God and to the people.”