Pope: May sorrow of war victims touch world leaders' hearts

By Joseph Tulloch

“As we prayerfully remember those who died in the two World Wars, let us also remember the many—too many—civilians, defenseless victims of the wars that unfortunately still stain our planet with blood.”

Those were Pope Francis’ words at the end of his General Audience on Wednesday, reflecting on Italy’s upcoming National Day of Civilian War Victims, on 1 February.

“May [the victims’] cry of sorrow touch the hearts of those in charge of nations and lead to projects for peace,” he added.

“When you read stories of what’s happening in war today," the Pope said, "there’s so much cruelty, so much. Let us ask the Lord for peace, because He is always meek, never cruel.”

Peacebuilding

Earlier in the audience, in his address to Polish-speaking pilgrims, Pope Francis noted that “we began the New Year with an invitation to build peace in the world, in your homeland, in your families, in your hearts.”

“Remember that peace can only be built on truth,” the Pope stressed. “May concern for the common good, the right control of anger, and mutual forgiveness help you to build the civilisation of love in your present situation.”

Pope Francis has been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza since 29 October. He has appealed for peace in Ukraine at almost every General Audience since the war there began.