Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, asked all men and women of goodwill to join him in a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace for the war-torn people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of South Sudan. His Holiness Pope Francis also assured his closeness to the populations of Madagascar, recently hit by a strong cyclone, which has caused victims, displaced people and wreaked extensive damage and prayed that they may be comforted and the supported by the Lord.
As reported by Vatican radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Faced with the tragic protracted situations of conflict in different parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to take part in a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on February 23rd, the Friday of the First Week of Lent.” Further, His Holiness added, “I also invite non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters to join us this initiative in whatever ways they deem most appropriate”.
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his remarks by exhorting that he joins the Italian Bishops in expressing appreciation and encouragement to the different ecclesial realities that in many ways promote and sustain life.
