Pope Francis, other religious leaders and several politicians gathered at the Colosseum in Rome. They participated in the Prayer Meeting for Peace organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio.
Among those present were: Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome; Antonij di Volokolamsk, the Russian Orthodox Foreign Minister; and Mar Awa III, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church in Iraq.
Beloved, in order for us to become authentic peacemakers of Jesus in our time, we must make ourselves available to be his instruments among men—even when we are asked for the gift of our lives.
There were about 2,000 people in attendance at the Colosseum. The President of the Community of Sant'Egidio also spoke about the goal for peace.
Some factions in the service of promoting war explain that there are 'just wars' and 'holy wars.' But a policy that brings death is necropolitics, not desiring life.
Alicia Peressutti was also among the different speakers. She has known Pope Francis since before he was elected to the papacy and is president of the NGO Vinculos en Red, which fights against human trafficking.
As long as there is human trafficking, there is no peace. As long as there is human trafficking and millions are enslaved and suffering torture as they are suffering right now, there is no peace.
During his speech, Pope Francis thanked the various leaders for their presence, particularly those of other denominations. He said that all believers have a special duty in the face of war.
Let us not be infected by the perverted logic of war; let us not fall into the trap of hatred for the enemy. Let us put peace back at the heart of the vision of the future, as the central goal of our personal, social and political actions.
At the end of the event, the religious leaders signed a document for peace as the rest of the attendees displayed banners for peace in several languages.
RM
TR: KG
