Pope Francis Urges Faith and Prayers for Peace

On Wednesday, May 1, Pope Francis stood before a global assembly in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, emphasizing the enduring significance of faith in the life of a Christian.

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Credit: Vatican Media

Highlights

By Catholic Online
5/1/2024 (2 weeks ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Wednesday Audience

With a solemn tone, he urged the faithful to keep praying for what he called "real peace" for everyone on Earth, condemning the troubling practice of profiting from war, which he described as "making money off death."

Amidst the grandeur of Vatican City, the Holy Father spoke passionately about the theological virtues, starting with faith, as part of his ongoing teachings about virtues and vices. "What is faith?" he asked, prompting his audience to ponder the profound act of freely committing oneself to God. Drawing from the inspiring stories of figures like Abraham, Moses, and the Virgin Mary, he encouraged everyone to invite God into their daily lives, especially during tough times.

"Faith is the cornerstone of our Christian journey," Pope Francis affirmed, stressing its importance as the primary gift to embrace each day. He cautioned against fear, identifying it as faith's greatest adversary, rather than intelligence or reason, as some may think.

After his teaching session, the Pope greeted groups from different parts of the world, many waving flags and banners, and invited them to join him in prayers for peace. His heart went out to those suffering from natural disasters and conflicts worldwide, particularly highlighting the devastating floods in Kenya and the ongoing wars in places like Ukraine, Palestine, and Myanmar.

"We must never forget to pray for peace," he emphasized, lamenting the sad reality that weapons factories often bring in the most money in today's world. "War is always a loss," he declared, calling for genuine peace for all peoples and pleading for an end to profiteering from the tragedy of war.

In a world where strife and conflict often overshadow hope, Pope Francis's words echoed as a beacon of light, urging us all to cling to faith, pray for peace, and strive for a world where humanity's highest aspirations are realized in harmony and love.