Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Colosseum to preside over a prayer event for peace together with leaders of different religions.
In fact, at the beginning of this event, the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa recited the names of several countries at war, to which Pope Leo and several bishops gave their blessing
After representatives of the various religions prayed in separate places according to their respective traditions, they joined in procession toward the stage set up in front of the Arch of Constantine to continue the event.
There were also testimonies. For example, the testimony of this doctor and refugee from Sudan, who spoke about his life story in a country at war.
OMER MALLA ALI
Doctor and refugee from Sudan
People who have been under siege for more than two years, without food, medicines, and hope. Mothers feed their children animal food, just to keep them alive. Those who are not killed by bullets die slowly, from hunger. Please, I ask you, pray for Sudan.
And after these moving words, the Pope delivered his address, calling for peace and an end to wars with a cry to heaven:
POPE LEO XIV
With the strength of prayer, with bare hands raised to heaven and open hands extended toward others, we must bring to an end this era of history marked by war and the arrogance of power, and make a new story begin. We cannot accept that this era should last any longer, that it should shape the mentality of peoples, that we should grow accustomed to war as a normal companion of human history. Enough! It is the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. Enough! Lord, hear our cry!
After this message came a symbolic moment: the lighting of the peace candelabra by the Pontiff and several representatives.
Children also took part. A small group received a scroll containing an Appeal for Peace from the hands of the religious representatives and went on to deliver it to national and international ambassadors and political leaders.
To conclude, it was announced that next year, marking 40 years since the first convocation of these Days of Prayer for Peace by Pope Saint John Paul II, the celebration will once again take place in the same place that hosted the prayer for the first time: Assisi.
BAM
Trans. CRT
