After praying the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis recalled the beatification of José Gregorio Hernández, the Venezuelan doctor who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries, which took place in Caracas last Friday
POPE FRANCIS
He was able to recognize the face of Christ in the sick and, like the Good Samaritan, he helped them with evangelical charity. May his example help us to care for those who suffer in body and spirit. A round of applause for the new Blessed.
The Pope also expressed his concern for the situation in Myanmar. He asked those in attendance to pray to the Virgin Mary to end the violence in the streets between the supporters of the coup and its opponents.
POPE FRANCIS
Each of us turns to our Mother when we are in need or in difficulty; this month, we ask our Mother of Heaven to speak to the hearts of all leaders in Myanmar so that they may find the courage to walk the path of encounter, reconciliation and peace.
The Pope also expressed his sorrow for the tragedy in Israel which took place during the Jewish festival of Lag B'Omer. It's estimated that 100,000 people attended a religious gathering in Galilee, which resulted in a human crush that killed at least 45 people and injured over 100 others. The cause of the crush has not been confirmed.
POPE FRANCIS
With sadness I express my sympathy to the people of Israel for the accident which took place last Friday on Mount Meron.
I will remember in my prayers the victims of this tragedy and their families.
In his closing remarks Pope Francis recalled the 25th anniversary of the Politics for Unity Movement, an initiative that brings together politicians from different parties to incorporate fraternity into their policy-making.
Javier Romero
TR: JM
