杏MAP导航

By Joseph Tulloch

杏MAP导航 Francis will celebrate Mass on Thursday at the Rome War Cemetery, which holds the remains of Commonwealth soldiers who died in Italy during the Second World War.

He made this announcement to the faithful who had gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square on Wednesday for the Solemnity of All Saints.

鈥淭omorrow afternoon I will celebrate Mass at the Rome Commonwealth War Cemetery,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said, speaking after he had recited the Angelus prayer with those in the square. 

鈥淟et us,鈥� he went on, 鈥渃ontinue to pray for those who are suffering from today鈥檚 wars. Let us not forget martyred Ukraine, let us not forget Palestine, let us not forget Israel, let us not forget so many other regions where war still persists.鈥�

In the past, the 杏MAP导航 has made reference to the 鈥渇orgotten鈥� conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and elsewhere, speaking of countries 鈥渨ounded for many years by a terrible, forgotten war, which has caused so many deaths and still causes so many people to suffer, especially children.鈥�

All Saints, All Souls

The 杏MAP导航's Thursday Mass will fall on All Souls' Day, when the Church commemorates the "faithful departed". It is not the first time he has chosen to mark the occasion with Mass in a cemetery  - in 2018, he celebrated Mass at Rome's French Military Cemetery, while in 2021 he chose the Laurentino Cemetery. 

The 杏MAP导航 drew his post-Angelus address to a close by recalling that Wednesday is All Saints' Day, when the Church commemorates those in heaven. 

鈥淚 wish all of you a good feast, in the spiritual company of the saints", he said.