"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many defenseless people who are victims of these conflicts"
Pope Leo continues to make a call for peace. He urged the faithful to "persevere in prayer," saying that the death and pain of the wars around the world is a "cry that rises to God."
He made this appeal after praying the midday Angelus on March 22, following a reflection on God as the source of life.
Here is what he said:
With dismay I continue to follow the situation in the Middle East, which like other regions of the world is torn apart by war and violence. We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many defenseless people who are victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts all of humanity. The death and pain caused by these wars is a scandal for the entire human family and a cry that rises to God! I strongly renew my appeal to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and paths to peace may finally open up, based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human person.
Marathon in Rome
In this context of tensions, the Pope welcomed the 31st Rome Marathon on Sunday, which he called "a sign of hope."
"May sport pave the way for peace, social inclusion, and spirituality," he said.
Some 36,000 marathon runners from 166 countries were registered for this course between the monuments of the Eternal City. Among them, the Franco-Algerian Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco came from his archbishopric of Algiers with a small delegation.
