Holy Father Pope Francis appealed to all men and women of goodwill to join in prayer for peace on the African continent. His Holiness Pope Francis was addressing the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square and he also recalled the beatification of Sister Lionella Sgorbati in the northern Italian city of Piacenza. The Pontiff highlighted that Sister Lionella Sgorbati was a Consolata Missionary who was killed in hatred of the faith in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2006.
After having invoked the prayers of Our Lady of Africa upon all the gathering, the Pontiff also mentioned the fact that today in Italy, hospitals and healthcare centers and institutions across the nation mark the so-called “Giornata del Sollievo” – a day to raise awareness and nurture solidarity for all those who suffer pain and are nearing the end of their lives.
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his remarks by urging everyone to be aware of the physical and spiritual needs of those who are sick and to be close to them with tenderness.
