Pope Francis called on political leaders to find a solution for lasting peace in Ethiopia and prayed for flood victims in many African countries during the Angelus prayer.
(Vatican News Network)After reciting the Angelus on Sunday 23 October, Pope Francis called on political leaders to put an end to the suffering of the Ethiopian “unarmed people” and to “find a just solution” for lasting peace throughout the country.
The Tigray region has been in turmoil since the war in Ethiopia about two years ago. After a five-month ceasefire this year for humanitarian aid, fighting resumed in August. For this the United Nations expressed deep concern in October, when Pope Francis mentioned his “malaise” on Sunday 23 October.
The Pope “reaffirms with a heavy heart that violence cannot resolve differences, but only contributes to tragic consequences”. The Pope wants the parties in conflict to commit themselves to “dialogue and the pursuit of the public good”, thus starting a “concrete path of reconciliation”. “May the afflicted Ethiopian brothers and sisters not lack our prayer, our solidarity and humanitarian assistance,” said the Pope.
Furthermore, the Pope also referred to the floods that have caused “death and destruction” in many African countries. “My prayers are with the victims and my thoughts are with the millions of displaced people. I pray that everyone will do more to prevent these disasters,” the Pope said.
According to the latest World Food Program report, above-average rainfall and devastating floods affected 5 million people in 19 countries in Central and West Africa this year.
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn
