Pope Francis yesterday urged prayers for those suffering due to political conflict, violence, and natural disasters, highlighting humanitarian crises in Venezuela, the Middle East, and Myanmar. Source: CNA.
Protests and violence have erupted in cities across Venezuela after citizens headed to the polls one week ago to vote in the country’s presidential elections.
The Venezuelan government declared on Monday that President Nicolás Maduro won the election, however many opposition leaders and citizens continue to contest the results, alleging fraud and corruption against the country’s leader and his party.
“I express my concern for Venezuela, which is experiencing a critical situation. I appeal to all parties to seek the truth and to avoid all kinds of violence and I ask all those involved to have the good of the people at heart,” the Pope said during his Angelus address.
Pope Francis also drew attention to escalating violence in the Middle East.
“I follow closely and with great concern with what is happening in the Middle East. I hope that the bloody and violent conflict will end soon. I pray for the victims but in particular for the innocent children,” he said.
He. also addressed the ongoing turmoil in Lebanon. Yesterday marked four years since the deadly blast in the Port of Beirut killed more than 220 people and injured some 6500 in the capital of Lebanon in 2020.
“Today the people of Lebanon are suffering. I am thinking of the victims, and the families of victims, of the explosion in Beirut. I pray for justice and for the new beatified [Patriarch Estephan Douaihy] to intercede for this country,” the Pope said.
He also spoke about the plight of vulnerable populations in India and Myanmar.
“Let us not forget Myanmar,” he said. “I also express my closeness to the people of India — particularly in Kerala — who have been hit by torrential rains which have caused the loss of lives, numerous displaced people and extensive damage.”
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Pope Francis urges prayers for victims of crises in Venezuela, Myanmar, and Middle East (By Kristina Millare, CNA)
