Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-26 14:23:17
Pope Francis, despite cancelling his engagements the day before due to a mild flu, was well enough to celebrate his weekly Angelus prayer from the Vatican window overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. The Vatican press office announced on Saturday that the 87-year-old pontiff had to cancel a planned audience with the Roman deacons as a precautionary measure. However, on Sunday, Francis appeared in good health and led the Angelus prayer as usual, requesting the crowd to pray for him.
During his address, Pope Francis expressed sorrow for the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, describing it as a “large-scale war” that has caused immense suffering, destruction, and death. He called for humanity to come together to find a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace. The pontiff also prayed for those affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other war-torn regions, urging concrete help for those who are suffering, especially innocent children.
Pope Francis highlighted his concern for the escalating violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the frequent kidnappings in Nigeria. He echoed the bishops’ call to pray for peace in these regions and emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue to end the fighting.
In addition to addressing conflicts and social issues, Pope Francis once again drew attention to climate change during the Angelus. He mentioned his solidarity with the people of Mongolia who are facing severe humanitarian consequences due to an intense cold wave, attributing such extreme weather events to climate change. The pontiff stressed that climate change is a global social problem that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of society.
Overall, Pope Francis used his platform during the Angelus prayer to advocate for peace, humanitarian aid, and environmental awareness. Despite his age and occasional health concerns, he continues to be a prominent voice for justice, compassion, and sustainability on a global scale. His messages during the Angelus reflect his commitment to addressing pressing issues facing humanity and his call for unity, solidarity, and action to create a better world for all.
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