Pope: May the Lord enable leaders to pause and mediate for peace

Screenshot: Crowds at Regina Coeli prayers in St Peter's Square on Divine Mercy Sunday

Source: Vatican Media

During his Regina Coeli address to pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis once again appealed for negotiated solutions to the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel. He called on political leaders to pause and make efforts to mediate, to negotiate a path to peace.

The Holy Father also invited the faithful to continue to pray unfailingly for peace: "A just, lasting peace, especially for the tormented Ukraine and for Palestine and Israel."

Reiterating his tireless appeal to those in power to do everything possible to stop ongoing conflicts, he prayed to the Risen Lord to enlighten and sustain those engaged in efforts to negotiate a political solution.

"May the spirit of the Risen Lord enlighten and sustain all those who work to decrease the tension, and encourage gestures that make negotiations possible," he said. "May the Lord give the leaders the ability to pause a little to mediate, to negotiate."

Watch the Regina Coeli on the Vatican Media Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHPNzX0zHhM

Read the full text of Pope Francis refection and address: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/04/07/240407a.html