Pope Francis: “Let’s Stop the Violence in the Middle East”

At the conclusion of the Angelus prayer on August 4, Pope Francis made another call to start talking about peace in the Middle East as well.

“I am following with great concern what is happening in the Middle East and hope that the conflict, already horribly bloody and violent, does not spread further. I pray for all the victims, especially the innocent children, and express my closeness to the Druze community in the Holy Land and to the people of Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon. Let us not forget Myanmar. Let us have the courage to resume dialogue so that the firing in Gaza and on all fronts will cease immediately, hostages will be released, and humanitarian assistance will be provided to the population. Attacks, even targeted ones, and assassinations can never be the solution.”

According to His Holiness, violence “does not help to follow the path of justice, the path of peace, but breeds more hatred and revenge. Enough, brothers and sisters! Enough!”

The Pontiff recalled the beatification of Maronite Patriarch Stefano Douaihy, which took place on August 2 in Bkerk, Lebanon. “A teacher of faith and an attentive shepherd, he was a witness of hope, always close to people. Even today, the Lebanese people are suffering greatly! In particular, I am referring to the families of the victims of the Beirut port bombing. I hope that justice and truth will prevail soon.”

Finally, Francis expressed concern about the unrest in Venezuela: “I sincerely urge all parties to seek the truth, exercise moderation, avoid any kind of violence, resolve disputes through dialog, and have the true good of the population, not their own interests, at heart.”