Pope Francis, inspired by trip, makes a special call to all Catholics

Pope Francis has issued a plea for prayer from Catholics around the world. On the heels of his trip to the Middle East, Pope Francis has asked the world's Christians to join him in prayer for peace and the aid of refugees.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - During today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis called for the handwork of individuals who are the "artisans of peace." In context, Pope Francis is talking about action, part of his ongoing theme of 'Prayer and Action' to end world hunger and poverty by 2025.

Pope Francis cited his recent trip to the Holy Land as inspiration for his latest call. He referred to the area as "a blessed land" despite its obvious troubles, and said that he was inspired by his visit. He received "grace" during his visit.

Join us in acting to make the world a better place.

Pope Francis asked governing authorities to seek peace in all their dealings and to find solutions to the crisis in Syria and between Israel and Palestine. Pope Francis also invited Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican to pray together for peace.

Such a powerful prayer meeting, should it occur, could solve a lot of problems. The reasons for this are many, but it begins with the fact that prayer acts both on God, who receives it, and on the person who makes it.

Prayer changes the person who prays.

When the person changes, so too does their attitude and the way they relate to the world. Suddenly, problems and darkness dispel and the light of God illuminates the path.

Unfortunately, many people have good prayer lives and then they fail to act. Prayer is most powerful when it is acted upon. What purpose is the light if you will not walk the path it reveals?

"There are no industries of peace" - outside, super-entities that can magically mass-produce a world free of conflict. [peace] is created day-by-day, handcrafted."

So Pope Francis once again made a point that is the hallmark of his papacy. Yes, we must pray, and pray hard. "Pray hard so the Lord gives us peace." Pope Francis asked. Then he continued by asking that we act to make that peace real.

Pope Francis made specific intentions for both peace as well as care for refugees of famine and conflict, and for the unity of the Christian family.

Pope Francis' call isn't just to the leaders of the Middle East, it is also a call to you. There is no factory that produces these blessings, instead such blessings are handcrafted.

Will you please do your part to handcraft blessings for others?

Please join Catholic Online and our friends in prayer for peace. Pray hard.

Next, consider acting -become the maker of peace by acting to ensure the unity of the Christian family and the aid of refugees.

PRAY NOW

ACT NOW

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