For the second consecutive week, Pope Francis prayed for the people of Afghanistan after the Angelus. Previously, he called on Christians to pray and fast for the safety of Afghans in Kabul and throughout the country.
POPE FRANCIS
“May young Afghans receive education, essential for human development. And may all Afghans, whether at home, traveling, or in host countries, live with dignity, in peace and fraternity with their neighbors.”
The Pope also prayed for the communities devastated by hurricane Ida, which killed over 60 people in the southern and northeastern United States, and has left hundreds of thousands without electricity.
POPE FRANCIS
“I assure my prayers for the people of the United States of America who in recent days have been hit by a strong hurricane. May the Lord receive the souls of the deceased and sustain those suffering from this calamity.”
Pope Francis then announced that he will be in Budapest next Sunday to celebrate the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress before traveling to Slovakia. He thanked the Christians of the region who came before him for upholding their faith despite persecution.
POPE FRANCIS
“In those places they bore witness to the Gospel amid hostility and persecution. May they help Europe to bear witness today also, not so much in words but above all in deeds, with works of mercy and hospitality, the good news of the Lord who loves us and saves us. Thank you!”
The Pope extended his warm wishes to the Jewish community ahead of the Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah, and recalled that Sunday marked the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta.
JM
