POPE LEO XIV
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With so many of the College of Cardinals together in Rome, the group has issued another statement for the faithful, this time on the topic of peace:
We Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, gathered in General Congregation before the beginning of the Conclave, note with regret that no progress has been made in promoting the peace processes in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in many other parts of the world. Instead, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population. We make a heartfelt appeal to all parties involved to reach a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible and to negotiate, without preconditions or further delay, the peace long desired by the populations involved and by the entire world.
We invite all the faithful to intensify their prayers to the Lord for a just and lasting peace.
Earlier request:
A message released by the group on April 30 also urged the faithful to intense prayer, but on that occasion it was for the conclave process itself.
The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God.
For this reason, the Cardinals, conscious of the responsibility to which they are called, feel the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful. This is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 12:12).
Faced with the enormity of the task ahead and the urgency of the present time, it is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite wisdom and providence of our Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, he is the protagonist of the life of the People of God, the One to whom we must listen, accepting what he is saying to the Church (cf. Rev 3:6).
May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany these prayers with her maternal intercession.
A previous message from the Cardinals expressed their thanks for those who had attended the funeral of Pope Francis or supported the work of the Vatican in those days. It also offered a word to the many young people who were in Rome during that time for the Jubilee of Adolescents:
... a grateful thought goes to the thousands of adolescents and young people who participated in the Jubilee on Sunday, April 27, showing the face of a Church alive with the life of her Risen Lord, and to all the people of God who walk with hope toward the future.
