Pope Francis urged Catholics worldwide to pray and do penance for peace as he addressed pilgrims during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Despite ongoing health issues due to bronchitis, the 88-year-old pontiff made an impassioned plea for an end to conflicts across the globe.
In the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Pope emphasized the gravity of war, saying “War is a defeat. Always. We were not born to kill, but to make peoples grow.” He specifically mentioned the suffering in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging the faithful to intercede for peace.
Due to his illness, Pope Francis had another priest read his prepared catechesis. The Pope, however, personally addressed the audience at the end of the gathering. “Please, let us pray for peace, let us do penance for peace,” he said, reinforcing his call for spiritual action.
The Pope’s catechesis reflected on humility, focusing on the shepherds who first received the news of Christ’s birth. He emphasized that “it is the humble and poor who greet the event of the Incarnation.”
The Holy Father concluded by urging the faithful to make daily prayer and penance a central part of their lives, stressing the power of sacrifice in fostering peace.
Pray with Pope Francis for peace!
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