February 26, (THEWILL) – Pope Francis has expressed concerns over rising incidents of kidnappings in Nigeria.
Raising a point of prayers (angelus), on Sunday, after his message titled: “Never Direct Your Eyes Away From The Light of Jesus”, the Pope prayed that efforts to contain the menace yield fruit “as much as possible.”
“The increasingly frequent kidnappings in Nigeria are extremely concerning. I express my closeness in prayer to the Nigerian people, hoping that efforts will be made to contain the spread of these incidents as much as possible”, the post @Pontifex, read.
Pope Francis also in his angelus, wrote: “It is with sorrow that we remembered the second anniversary of the beginning of the large-scale war in Ukraine yesterday, February the 24th. How many victims and injured people, how much destruction, anguish and tears in a period that is becoming terribly long and the end of which cannot be seen yet! It is a war that is not only devastating that region of Europe but is unleashing a global wave of fear and hatred. While renewing my heartfelt affection for the tormented Ukrainian people, I keep praying for everyone, especially for the countless innocent victims. I earnestly plead that the little humanity needed to create the conditions for a diplomatic solution in seeking a just and lasting peace be sought. And, brothers and sisters, let us not forget to pray for Palestine, for Israel, and for the many peoples torn apart by war, and to concretely help those who suffer! Let us think of the huge amount of suffering, let us think of the wounded, innocent children.
“It is with concern that I am following the increase in violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I join the bishops’ call to pray for peace, hoping that the clashes may cease and that a sincere and constructive dialogue may be sought.
“I am also close to the population of Mongolia, affected by a wave of intense cold, which is causing serious humanitarian consequences. This extreme phenomenon is also a sign of climate change and its effects. The climate crisis is a global social problem that deeply affects the lives of many brothers and sisters, especially the lives of the most vulnerable: let us pray to be able to make wise and courageous choices to contribute to the care of creation.”
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