Pope: Let's pray for peace that is never obtained with weapons

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Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis has once again appealed for peace in the world, entrusting his prayers to Our Lady.

Speaking to pilgrims after the Regina Coeli prayer in St Peter's Square, he said: "Spiritually kneeling before the Virgin, I entrust to her the ardent desire for peace of so many people, who in various parts of the world, suffer the senseless disaster of war."

Noting that at this very hour, many faithful gather around the venerated image of Mary in the Shrine of Pompeii, to address to her the Supplication that flowed from the heart of the Blessed Bartolo Longo, he said he too was kneeling before the Virgin in supplication for the gift of peace.

"To the Blessed Virgin, I present in particular the sufferings and tears of the Ukrainian people. In the face of the madness of war, let us continue, please, to pray the Rosary for peace every day."

Pope Francis continued, asking for prayers for world leaders: "That they may not lose their 'feel' for their people who want peace, and know well that weapons will never bring it."

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Pope Francis has repeatedly appealed for a diplomatic solution to the war.

Speaking during the General Audience on 23 March he remarked on how the war in Ukraine shows that humanity had to shed a strange instinct for "self-destruction" and that buying more weapons was not the ultimate solution to any conflict.

Asking believers to remember all the victims of the war - the dead, including "fallen soldiers on one side or the other," the wounded, homeless and refugees, the Pope said: "May the Lord send his spirit to make us understand that war is a defeat of humanity."

Watch Sunday's Regina Coeli on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcC4EksDgXY