FRANCIS GIVES THANKS FOR PRAYERS FOR HIS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

Vatican City, 28 May 2014 (VIS) – In his greetings in various languages following today's catechesis, the Holy Father invited all those present to pray for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East, and gave thanks to those who accompanied with prayer his recent apostolic pilgrimage. He addressed special greetings to the English and Welsh pilgrims, members of the Catholic Police Association, as well as the members of the International Catholic Commission for Migration who are holding their plenary session in these days, and expressed his hope that this “concerted commitment may contribute to assisting many of our brethren in need”. He also thanked the Arab-speaking pilgrims, above all those from Jordan and the Holy Land, for the affectionate and generous welcome received during his trip and assured them that he will hold them forever in his heart and in his prayers, invoking “abundant goodness, continuing prosperity and lasting peace”.