VATICAN: Pope calls on heads of state and government to “avoid any action or word that could fuel confrontation”

After the Marian prayer of the Angelus, the Pope again called on the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and northern Congo. He also called for negotiations. He also recalled the “Franciscan brothers” who “give honor to the Church of Rome.” In his Gospel commentary, he emphasized that Jesus “gives us courage.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis led his first Angelus prayer of the summer under cloudy Roman skies and sweltering heat.

After the blessing, he repeatedly called on the faithful to “pray for peace, especially in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel.” Citing the Gaza Strip and northern Congo, he made an urgent appeal to the heads of government to achieve something and stressed: “Negotiations are needed.”

As he has done many times before, he urged decision-makers to embark on the path of dialogue without hesitation. “May the Holy Spirit enlighten the minds of those in power, instilling in them wisdom and a sense of responsibility so that they may avoid any action or word that could fuel confrontation,” he said.

The Holy Father reiterated the urgency of reaching a “peaceful solution to the conflicts” as soon as possible. And nowhere is this more urgently needed than in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli bombs continue to fall and at least a hundred people, including children, have been killed in the last 24 hours, while tensions are rising on the border between Israel and Lebanon, increasing the risk of escalation.

“I can see the flag of Israel,” Pope Francis added, pointing to a flag raised in St. Peter’s Square as it has been in recent weeks. He said he had seen it in the morning and added: “It is a call for peace.”

In St. Peter’s Square, Francis greeted “cyclists from Bollate (Milan) who had come by bicycle” with a flag on a light blue background, in the colors of the rainbow and the inscription “Peace for all”.

In his speech, the Pope also mentioned Father Manuel Blanco Rodríguez, who died on Thursday night at the age of 85.

“The day before yesterday, Father Manuel Blanco died, a Franciscan who lived for 44 years in the church of Santi Quaranta Martiri e San Pasquale Baylon in Rome,” said Francis.

“He was a superior, a confessor, a man of counsel. In my memory of him, I would like to remember so many Franciscan brothers, confessors and preachers who have honored and continue to honor the Church of Rome. I thank them all!”

Before the Marian prayer, Pope Francis spoke about the Gospel of the day (Mk 4:35-41).

“Today the Gospel shows us Jesus with his disciples on the boat on the Sea of ​​Galilee. Unexpectedly, a violent storm comes up and the boat threatens to sink. Jesus, who was sleeping, wakes up, threatens the wind and everything becomes calm again,” he explained.

What represents a danger for the sailors frightens the disciples, even though they were experienced fishermen, while Jesus is sleeping.

“It seems that Jesus wants to test them,” the Pope said. “He reassures them with his presence, he encourages them, he spurs them to have more faith and he accompanies them beyond danger.”

Why does Jesus behave like this? The Holy Father’s answer is: “To strengthen the faith of the disciples and give them more courage.”

The fact that they have endured this trial with him will help them in the future to face others, “even to the point of the cross and martyrdom, to bring the Gospel to all peoples.”

Jesus does the same with all Christians who gather around the Eucharist. “He invites us to set sail, to pass on everything we have heard and to share what we have received with everyone, in our daily lives, even when it is difficult.”

So Jesus doesn’t take away the hardships from people’s lives, but helps them to live them. “He gives us courage.”

Trusting in his “power” which goes beyond human capacities, it is possible to overcome insecurities, hesitations, closed-mindedness and prejudices “to tell everyone that the Kingdom of Heaven is present, that it is here and that with Jesus at our side we can make it grow together, beyond all barriers.”

In conclusion, Francis said: “May the Virgin Mary, who accepted the will of God with humility and courage, give us the serenity to surrender ourselves to Him in difficult moments.”