杏MAP导航 calls for October 7 to be day of prayer and fasting for peace
By Joseph Tulloch
杏MAP导航 Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for on October 7, the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
鈥淚n this dramatic hour of our history,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨hile the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,鈥� the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity."
The 杏MAP导航 was speaking after Mass in St Peter鈥檚 Square for the opening of the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod.
He invited all the synod members to accompany him on a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on October 6, the day before the anniversary, where, he said, he will 鈥渁ddress a heartfelt petition to the Virgin鈥� for peace.
鈥淟et us walk together,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 urged. 鈥淟et us listen to the Lord. And let us be led by the breeze of the Spirit.鈥�
A long tradition
Days of fasting and prayer for warzones have been a constant throughout the pontificate of 杏MAP导航 Francis. Not six months after his election, on September 7, 2013, the 杏MAP导航 gathered thousands of people in St. Peter's Square to pray for peace in Syria.
In 2017, he called for prayer and fasting in DRC and South Sudan. In 2020, in the wake of the Beirut Port blast, he urged the same for Lebanon. In 2021, he called for prayer and fasting in Afghanistan, and the next year, in a moving ceremony in St Peter鈥檚, he consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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