Speaking on Sunday after the recitation of the Angelus Prayer, Pope Francis yet again turned his attention to wars, across the globe that are causing death, suffering and destruction.
Invoking the Lord’s blessing upon all, he invited believers to pray for peace, “for which the world yearns so much and which, today more than ever, is endangered in many places. It is not the responsibility of a few, but of the entire human family: let us all cooperate to build it with gestures of compassion and courage!”
“Let us continue to pray for the people suffering from war, especially in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel,” he pleaded.
Lunar New Year
The Pope also turned his attention to the millions of families in East Asia and in different parts of the world who will be celebrating the Lunar New Year on 10 February.
“I send them my cordial greetings, with the hope that this feast may be an occasion to experience relationships of affection and gestures of care, which contribute to creating a society of solidarity and fraternity, where each person is recognised and welcomed in his or her inalienable dignity,” he said.
Day for Life in Italy
The Holy Father also recalled the fact that in Italy on Sunday, 4 February, the Day for Life is observed, and that the theme chosen for 2024 is “The power of life surprises us”.
“I join the Italian Bishops in wishing to overcome ideological visions in order to rediscover that every human life, even those most marked by limitations, has immense value and is capable of giving something to others,” he said.
World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
The Pope sent special greetings to the young people from many countries who have gathered in Rome for the upcoming World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.
He recalled that the World Day will be celebrated on 8 February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who was enslaved as a girl.
“Even today, many brothers and sisters are deceived with false promises and then subjected to exploitation and abuse. Let us all join together to fight the dramatic global phenomenon of human trafficking,” he said.
Fires in central Chile
The Holy Father continued turning his thoughts and prayers to the victims and those affected by deadly wildfires in central Chile.
“Let us also pray for the dead and injured in the devastating fires in central Chile,” he said.
At least 51 people have died in raging forest fires in Chile where a state of emergency has been declared. Authorities fear that given the conditions of the tragedy, the number of victims will surely increase in the coming hours.
The state of emergency applies to the provinces of Marga Marga and Valparaiso where a curfew has been imposed. About 92 active fires are reportedly burning in various parts of the country and have so far affected roughly 43,000 hectares.
Pilgrims of Hope on the Way to Peace
Finally, the Pope had words of greeting and affection for the consecrated men and women from over 60 countries who are taking part in the meeting “Pilgrims of Hope on the Way to Peace promoted by the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
