Pope Francis’ appeal at the Angelus after those killed in the Jenin raid and those in the attack in front of a Jerusalem synagogue. He called for a “peaceful and people-friendly solution” to the blockade of the Lachin corridor in the South Caucasus. He also asked for prayers for his upcoming trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, two other countries marked by serious conflicts.
Vatican City () – The new wave of violence in Palestine and Israel, but also the “inhuman conditions” in which the Armenian civilian population finds itself in the South Caucasus due to the blockade of the Lachin corridor by the Azerbaijanis , which already lasts 50 days. The conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in South Sudan, the two African countries that he is preparing to visit in the coming days. Without forgetting -as every week- the martyred Ukraine. Pope Francis made today at the Angelus, before the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, a new and strong call for peace in all regions of the world wounded by war.
Precisely today, when Francis received the young people of Catholic Action in Rome with their caravan of peace at his window, the news of the last few hours led him to dwell on the new bloodshed in the Holy Land. The pontiff was referring specifically to the 10 Palestinians – including a woman – who were killed on Thursday during Israeli anti-terrorist operations in Palestine, and the 7 Israeli Jews who were killed by a Palestinian on Friday night along with 3 others who were wounded as they left from a synagogue near Jerusalem. “The spiral of death that grows day by day does nothing more than close the few loopholes of trust that exist between the two peoples,” he said. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in firefights with the Israeli army. I call on the two governments and the international community to find without delay other paths that include dialogue and the sincere search for peace. Let’s pray for this.”
But the Pope also once again focused attention on the serious situation of the Lachin corridor, in the South Caucasus, in the Nagorno-Karabakh region disputed between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The blockade has been going on for 50 days, with extremely serious suffering for the civilian population. “I am close to all those who are forced to face these inhumane conditions in the middle of winter,” he said. All possible efforts must be made at the international level to find peaceful solutions for the good of the people.”
He then told the young people of the Roman CA that “thinking of the tormented Ukraine, today prayer and commitment for peace must be more intense than ever.” He also announced the trip to Africa that will take him to two other countries deeply marked by conflicts – the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan – inviting all the faithful to accompany him in prayer.
At the Angelus, Francis explained that today, by the will of Raoul Follereau, leprosy patients are remembered. “Unfortunately – he said – the stigma associated with this disease continues to cause serious violations of human rights in various parts of the world. I express my closeness to those who suffer from it and I encourage the commitment for the full integration of these brothers and sisters”.
Before praying the Angelus, the Pope commented on the Gospel of the Beatitudes, focusing on the blessedness of the poor in spirit, “because theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5,3). “He who is poor in spirit treasures what he receives; that’s why he doesn’t want any gift to go to waste,” he commented. And he especially pointed out three challenges: not to waste the gift that we are, not to waste the gifts that we have and not to discard people. “Each one – he warned – is a sacred and unique gift, at any age and in any condition. Let’s always respect and promote life.”
