Pope: Conflicts require peaceful solutions, negotiations

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"May the Holy Spirit enlighten the minds of rulers, instill in them wisdom and a sense of responsibility, to avoid any action or word that fuels confrontation and instead aim resolutely at a peaceful solution to conflicts."

Pope Francis made this appeal during his weekly Angelus address on Sunday, as he recalled the tragic events happening in the Holy Land and in Ukraine, and said that to overcome conflicts, "negotiations are required."

Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, and all following from afar, the Holy Father discussed the wars plaguing the world.

"Let us continue to pray for peace," the Pope urged, recalling in a special way, Ukraine, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Israel.

Noticing an Israeli flag being waved by pilgrims in St Peter's Square, the Pope recalled also having saw it hanging earlier Sunday morning from a balcony as he was returning from the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs and St Paschal Baylon, in Rome's Trastevere neighbourhood.

"It is a call to peace!" he stressed.

'Let us pray for peace'

"Let us pray for peace!" the Pope appealed, as he remembered in a special way "tormented Ukraine, which suffers so much."

"Let there be peace!" he said, calling on rulers to act responsibly and work to end conflicts.

Pope Francis at Angelus

A homage to Fr. Manuel Blanco

The Pope also paid homage to his confessor Father Manuel Blanco, a Franciscan from the Order of Friars Minor, who died between between Thursday night and Friday morning in Rome at age 85.

The Holy Father went on to describe Father Manuel, who had lived for 44 years in the aforementioned 40 Martyrs Church, as a "superior," "confessor," and "man of advice."

"Remembering him," Pope Francis said, "I would like to remember so many Franciscan brothers, confessors, preachers, who have honoured and honour the Church of Rome."