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Feature News | Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Pope calls for world day of prayer for peace, Oct. 27

'Please, may everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe'

Palestinians attend to a child who was a casualty of an Israeli airstrike on a house in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 24, 2023. (OSV News photo/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters)

Photographer: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Palestinians attend to a child who was a casualty of an Israeli airstrike on a house in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 24, 2023. (OSV News photo/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters)

By Carol Glatz 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) | Warning against a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and ongoing conflicts elsewhere, Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the world Oct. 27, 2023.

"War does not solve any problems, it only sows death and destruction. It increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future," he said at the end of his general audience talk in St. Peter's Square Oct. 18.

"Our thoughts go to Palestine and Israel," he said to applause.

"Casualties are rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate," he said. "Please, may everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe."

What is also "disturbing," he said, is the possibility the conflict will spread just as so many other battles of war are being waged in the world.

"Please," he said, "let us continue to pray for peace in the world, especially in tormented Ukraine," a tragedy that is no longer talked about but continues.

"Silence the weapons. Listen to the cry of the poor, the people, the children, for peace," the pope said.

He urged all people of faith to take "just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not with words, with prayer, with total dedication."

For this reason, he said, he has decided to call for a day of fasting, prayer and penance Oct. 27.

The pope invited men and women of every Christian denomination and other religions as well as those committed to the cause of peace to participate in any way they feel is appropriate.

There will be an hour of prayer starting at 6 p.m. Rome time in St. Peter's "imploring for peace in the world," he said, and local churches are invited to organize similar initiatives.

Shahar Idan, 9, reacts during a funeral for his brother Maayan in kibbutz Einat, Israel, Oct. 22, 2023. Maayan, 18, was killed following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen in kibbutz Nahal Oz, and the brothers' father, Tzahi, was kidnapped and taken to to the Gaza Strip. (OSV News photo/Tomer Appelbaum, Reuters)

Photographer: Tomer Appelbaum

Shahar Idan, 9, reacts during a funeral for his brother Maayan in kibbutz Einat, Israel, Oct. 22, 2023. Maayan, 18, was killed following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen in kibbutz Nahal Oz, and the brothers' father, Tzahi, was kidnapped and taken to to the Gaza Strip. (OSV News photo/Tomer Appelbaum, Reuters)


Comments from readers

Jose Manuel Lorenzo - 10/26/2023 09:39 AM
I always pray for peace, especially praying on my daily Holy Rosary. Tomorrow I will join everyone in prayer and fasting. Amen

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