Holy Father Pope Francis led a prayer service at St. Peter’s Square for the intention of peace in the world and especially for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event in St. Peter’s Square organized by Solidarity with South Sudan in association with the Justice and Peace office of religious organizations worldwide, was a part of worldwide initiative inviting Christians all over the world to join in prayer for peace.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “May the risen Lord break down the walls of hostility that today divide brothers and sisters especially in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and May He comfort those women who are the victims of violence in war zones and throughout the world and may He protect children who suffer from conflicts in which they have no part but which rob them of their childhood and at times of life itself.”
His Holiness concluded his prayer by asking the Lord Almighty to help all the little ones and the poor of the world and blessed the faithful that may the Lord sustain all those who day by day strive to combat evil with good. In both countries, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo- child soldiers have been conscripted and used in battle and rape has been used as a weapon of war, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
