Night of peace in Lourdes

A night of solidarity and peace was held at Lourdes on Sunday night and yesterday morning for young people on their way to World Youth Day in Rome. Tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world attended the event at the shrine, which was organised by the French-based group Appeal by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. In a statement they said they wanted to remind people that the first decade of the new millennium has been dedicated to peace and non-violence for children of the world. Many took part in candlelit processions and Mass in the Domaine inside the heart of the shrine. Afterwards, speakers included Irish peace campaigner Mairead Maguire, Argentinean laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel and Tum Chanareth from Cambodia. A free concert held from midnight to sunrise included performances by French pop singer Patricia Kaas and other international singers.