War represents defeat, madness, pope says, calling for prayer January 3, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — War is madness, Pope Francis said, calling for prayers for all people in the world affected by today’s conflicts. “Let us not forget the people at war,” he said at the end of his general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall Jan. 3. “War is madness, war is always a defeat,” he said. “Let us pray for the people in Palestine, in Israel, in Ukraine and in many other places where there is war. And let us not forget our Rohingya brothers and sisters who are persecuted,” he said. The Rohingya people are a Muslim minority persecuted by the military regime in Myanmar. In his greetings to Polish visitors, the pope asked people to pray for a heart that is “sensitive to the needs of the poor, refugees and victims of war.” “I ask the Lord for the gift of peace,” he said. Read More Vatican News Pope: Rome’s Jesuit-run university must be rooted in Gospel, voice of poor Pope asks church organizers to bridge inequality, foster solidarity Pope names another new cardinal for December consistory Pope praises courageous, resilient faith of Catholics persecuted in past Pope: Love is the most important commandment Pope offers Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in past year Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
