(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for peace in the Central African Republic following intense armed clashes there. He made the call following the Regina Caeli in St Peter’s Square.
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The Holy Father said it pained him to hear about the violence in CAR especially after visiting the country in November 2015.
He went on to say that the fighting had claimed many victims, displaced people and threatened the peace process.
“I am close to the people and to the bishops”, the Pope added, “and to all those who work for the good of the people and for peaceful coexistence.”
Pope Francis prayed for the deceased and the wounded and he renewed his appeal calling for an end to the violence. He also expressed the hope that good will and dialogue would prevail into order to bring peace and development to the country.
During his Regina Caeli address the Holy Father looked to Asia saying, “on May 24, let us all join spiritually with the Catholic faithful in China on the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Help of Christians,” venerated at the Sheshan Shrine in Shanghai.
To Chinese Catholics, said the Pope, “we look to our Mother Mary to help us discern God’s will regarding the concrete path of the Church in China and may he support us in his generosity of love. Mary encourages us to offer our personal contribution to communion among believers and to the harmony of the whole of society. He continued, “let us not forget to bear witness to the faith with prayer and love, keeping us open always to encounter and dialogue.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday announced a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals. He made the announcement at the end of the Regina Caeli in St Peter’s Square.
The new Cardinals come from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador. The Consistory will take place on June 28th.
Find below the list of new Cardinal designates:
Archbishop Jean Zerbo of Bamako, Mali.
Archbishop Juan José Omella of Barcelona, Spain.
Bishop Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm, Sweden.
Archbishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun Apostolic Vicar of Paksé, Laos.
Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chávez – Auxillary Bishop in the Archdiocese of San Salvador, El Salvador.
(from Vatican Radio)…