Vatican
City, 8 September 2013 (VIS) - “I would like to thank everyone who,
in various ways, joined in the Vigil of Prayer and Fasting yesterday
evening. I thank the many people who united the offering of their
sufferings. I express my gratitude to the civil authorities, as well
as to the members of other Christian communities and of other
religions, and to men and women of good will who have undertaken, on
this occasion, periods of prayer, fasting and reflection”, said the
Pope after today's Angelus.
“But
the task remains: we move forward with prayer and works of peace. I
invite you to continue to pray so that the violence and devastation
in Syria may cease immediately and that a renewed effort be
undertaken to achieve a just solution to this fratricidal conflict.
Let us pray also for other countries in the Middle East, in
particular for Lebanon, that it may find its hoped-for stability and
continue to be a model of peaceful co-existence; for Iraq, that
sectarian violence may give way to reconciliation; and that the peace
process between the Israelis and Palestinians may proceed with
determination and courage. Finally, let us pray for Egypt, that all
Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, may commit themselves to build up
together a society dedicated to the good of the whole population.
“The
search for peace is long and demands patience and perseverance! Let
us keep praying for this!”
The
Pope concluded by mentioning that yesterday in Rovigo, Italy, Maria
Bolognese was declared blessed. A laywoman of the region, she was
born in 1924 and died in 1980. “She dedicated her entire life to
the service of others”, the Pope said, “especially the poor and
the sick, enduring great suffering in profound union with the passion
of Christ. We give thanks to God for this witness to the Gospel”.
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