Pope Francis presided over a prayer for the peace of the Middle East inside St. Peter's Basilica on Friday evening, Rome time (October 27).
The service was part of the Vatican's call to all Catholics and people of faith to pray, fast, and do penance for peace in the Middle East, particularly Israel and Palestine.
The call to prayer was made on October 18, days after the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, made his own call to prayer within his own jurisdiction, which is composed of Israel, Palestine, and Cyprus.
"Our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel," Francis said during the announcement of the day of prayer. "Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem: It sows only death and destruction, foments hate, proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future, it cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not in words - in prayer, with total dedication."
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Pope Francis presides over a prayer vigil at the Vatican for peace in the Holy Land.
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) October 27, 2023
The pope has called everyone to pray and fast for peace today. pic.twitter.com/n3IwuDrOB6
Praying for Peace in the Holy Land
The service was a prayer vigil that alternated readings from the Gospels, prayers, silent meditations, and the recitation of the rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is the real presence of Jesus in the form of bread.
In particular, the pope and the congregation inside St. Peter's -- most of whom cardinals and participants of the synod of bishops, clerics, and lay representatives that would conclude its session over the weekend -- asked for the prayers of the Virgin Mary, which Catholics believe was the mother of Jesus.
"To thee we consecrate our world, especially those countries and regions at war," the pontiff prayed, referring to the church's act of conseration to the Vigin Mary's immaculate heart. "Queen of all peoples, reconcile thy children, seduced by evil, blinded by power and hate .... Queen of Peace, pour forth into our hearts God's gift of harmony."
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