Vatican City.-Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for world peace on October 7, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
The announcement was made during the opening mass of the Synod in St. Peter’s Square, where the pontiff urged the faithful to dedicate that day to prayer and fasting.
Pope Francis also reported that on Sunday, October 6, he will go to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to pray the holy rosary and make a fervent plea to the Virgin Mary for peace. This basilica has a special meaning for the Pope, since he visited it the morning after being elected Pontiff in 2013 and has included it in his rituals before and after each apostolic trip.
During his homily, Pope Francis stressed the need for an announcement of peace at this dramatic moment in history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to disturb entire peoples and nations. He emphasized that the Christian community is always at the service of humanity to announce the joy of the Gospel, especially in times of conflict.
Pope Francis stressed the need for an announcement of peace at this dramatic moment in history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to disturb entire peoples and nations.
Pope Francis stressed the need for an announcement of peace at this dramatic moment in history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to disturb entire peoples and nations.
The conflict in Gaza and Israel, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has caused a serious humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives and many others have been taken hostage. In response, Israel has bombed targets in Gaza and launched a ground incursion, exacerbating tensions in the region, including clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and missile attacks from Iran.
Since the start of the war, Pope Francis has made numerous calls to the international community to end the conflict and has warned of the danger of it becoming a “third world war.” In his public appearances, especially during the Wednesday General Audience, the Holy Father has recalled that war is always a defeat for humanity and has exhorted the faithful to pray for peace.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has also promoted this initiative, sharing a prayer that Catholics around the world will be able to recite on October 7. The goal is to implore God to stop the whirlwind of violence and hatred in the Holy Land.
Pope Francis has written a letter to the Catholics of the Holy Land, expressing his closeness to those who suffer the drama of war, especially during Holy Week. In statements aboard the plane that took him to Krakow to participate in World Youth Day, the Pope affirmed that the world today is at war, but it is not a war of religions.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has called for a day of prayer, fasting and penance for next October 7, one year after the Hamas attack on Israel. This day seeks to unite the faithful in a global plea for peace and an end to violence in the Middle East.Infobae.
#Pope #Francis #called #day #prayer #peace #October #year #Hamas #attack #Israel
