Pope appeals for peace in the Middle East and Venezuela

by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

“Pentecost brings us at heart to Jerusalem”, Pope Francis began after reciting the Regina Coeli with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square on Pentecost Sunday.

Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

The Pope went on to say that he had followed spiritually a prayer vigil for peace held in Jerusalem on the Vigil of Pentecost. “Let us continue to pray today”, he invited those gathered, “that the Holy Spirit might arouse the desire for and gestures of dialogue and reconciliation in the Holy Land and in the entire Middle East”.

Beloved Venezuela

Pope Francis then turned his thoughts toward Venezuela which he called “beloved”. He prayed that the Holy Spirit might give all the people of Venezuela “the wisdom to find the path of peace and unity”. He ended this thought praying for the inmates who died during a prison riot on Saturday night.