Pope Francis prays for Nicaragua,
Syria, and peace in Horn of Africa
After praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope
Francis on Sunday issued a series of appeals for prayers for peace in different
parts of the world. He also said he is praying for a group of schoolboys who
have been trapped in a cave in Thailand for over a week and looked ahead to his
upcoming visit to Bari.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for the “beloved
people of Nicaragua” saying he wishes “to join the efforts of the
Nicaraguan bishops and of the many people of goodwill who are acting as
mediators and witnesses in an ongoing process of national dialogue on the road
to democracy”.
He was addressing the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s
Square for the Angelus Prayer.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua's Vice President this week reiterated the
government's commitment to dialogue and peace, and asked that international
entities condemn the violence of opposition groups that has virtually halted
the country in recent months and led to deadly clashes between protesters and police
forces.
The country’s Bishops’ Conference has also taken a strong
stand urging entrenched sides to return to the peace talks table.
Syria
The Pope then decried the serious situation in Syria,
mentioning in particular, recent attacks in the province of Daraa, “where
military action in the past days has even struck schools and hospitals”,
forcing thousands of new refugees to flee their homes.
“Together with my prayers, he said, I renew my appeal so
that the population, which has been so badly stricken for years, may be spared
further suffering.”
Ethiopia and Eritrea peace talks
“In the midst of many conflicts, the Pope said, I would like
to highlight an initiative that can be described as historic and that is good
news: in these days, after 20 years, the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea are
talking of peace”.
The two countries, which share a common culture, language,
and history, have been enemies since 1998 when they went to war over a border
town. A peace deal was signed by both parties after two years, but
neither side complied with it for the next 16 years. However, in an important
breakthrough, Ethiopia’s new premier Abiy Ahmed, this week promised to fully
comply with the accord opening the way to end hostilities between the two
countries, and to pave the way for peace.
Pope Francis expressed his hope that the initiative be a
“light of hope for these two countries of the Horn of Africa and for the entire
African continent”.
Prayers for trapped Thai boys
The Pope also turned his thoughts to a group of young boys
who have been trapped in an underground cave in Thailand for
over a week and said he is praying for them.
Rescue searchers trying to reach the 12 boys, aged 12 to 16,
and their soccer coach in a flooded cave complex are reportedly using huge
pumps to reduce the water level, allowing divers to place guide ropes and
oxygen tanks along the route.
Sunday’s effort marks the first significant progress in
several days in a massive attempt to reach the group that has been
missing in the cave complex in northern Thailand for eight days. Rising
floodwaters in the cave had stalled the search-and-rescue operation.
Apostolic visit to Bari
Finally, Francis looked ahead to his apostolic visit next
Saturday, 8 July, when he said, he will be travelling to the southern Italian
town of Bari together with leaders of Churches and faith-based communities of
the Middle East.
“We will engage in a day of prayer and reflect on the
dramatic situation of that region where so many of our brothers and sisters in
faith continue to suffer”.
“With one voice, he said, we will implore “Peace be with
you”.
And he asked everyone to accompany with prayer this
pilgrimage of peace and unity.
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