VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com – Pope Francis begged for an end to the bloodshed in Myanmar and turned into a peaceful dialogue.
The Pope added that he was willing to “kneel” on the streets of Myanmar so that violence in Myanmar would stop.
The statement was made by Pope Francis in Vatican City, Vatican, on Wednesday (17/3/2021) as reported Associated Press.
Violence continues in Myanmar with security forces breaking up demonstrator through brutal means.
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Myanmar military took over power after detaining the leader de facto Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
This sparked a huge wave of demonstrations across Myanmar. Army and Myanmar police dispersed the demonstrators with violence, even killing.
Launch Reuters, until Tuesday (16/3/2021), around 180 demonstrators were reported killed at the hands of the Myanmar security forces.
“Once again and with the deepest sorrow I feel, I feel the need to speak out about the situation in Myanmar,” said the Pope.
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“Many people, most of them young, lost their lives to put hope in their country,” the Pope continued.
In language that symbolizes what the protesters have done, Pope Francis is ready to kneel in Myanmar to end the violence.
“Even I (ready to) kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say ‘stop violence’,” continued Pope Francis.
Pope Francis may refer to a video and photo of a Catholic nun pleading with security forces not to fire on demonstrators.
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Some time ago, a nun named Sister Ann Roza Nu Tawng knelt in front of the Myanmar police and was willing to be shot as long as the police did not shoot at the demonstrators.
Photos of Sister Ann Roza Nu Tawng kneeling in front of a police team circulated widely on the internet and became a new symbol of love in Myanmar.
Pope Francis, who visited Myanmar in 2017, said blood does not solve anything and dialogue must prevail.
Myanmar Roman Catholic leader Charles Maung Bo also called for an end to bloodshed in the country.
Also read: Myanmar Military: Ordered to Openly Shoot Civilians, Even Kill Their Own Parents
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