CNA Newsroom, 08 December, 2024 / 3:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis issued a heartfelt plea for peace during the Sunday Angelus on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, urging international leaders to broker ceasefires in conflict zones by Christmas.
“I appeal to governments and the international community that a ceasefire may be reached on all war fronts by the Christmas celebrations,” the pope said on Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace, addressing pilgrims and visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The pontiff specifically called for continued prayers for peace in “tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East — Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and now Syria — in Myanmar, in Sudan, and wherever people suffer from war and violence.”
A call to reflect on Mary
Pope Francis spoke about the Annunciation during his catechetical reflection on this Marian feast day, describing it as “one of the most important and beautiful moments in the history of humanity.”
