While praying the Regina Caeli in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis was enthusiastically greeted by a crowd of red caps. It was a group of young people from the Archdiocese of Genoa, Italy.
Following his Catechesis, the Pope prayed for those suffering from the civil war in Sudan. In February, he ended his trip to Africa with a plea for a stop to the conflict in the neighboring country South Sudan, yet the racial tensions and violence in the area have not ceased.
POPE FRANCIS
It is sad but, one month after the outbreak of violence in Sudan, the situation remains grave. In my support for the partial agreements reached so far, I renew a heartfelt call for the laying down of arms. And I call on the international community to spare no effort to ensure that dialogue prevails and to alleviate the suffering of the population.
As usual, the Pope prayed for peace in Ukraine. He recalled that this week begins the Laudato si' week, focused on the care of the Earth. Pope Francis is concerned about the increase in natural disasters and prayed for the victims of flooding near Bologna, Italy.
POPE FRANCIS
We are also reminded of this by disasters, such as the floods that have struck Emilia-Romagna in recent days. To the people of Emilia-Romagna, I renew my heartfelt solidarity.
Lastly, the Pope greeted all the groups that came to St. Peter's Square to listen to his Catechesis—some traveled from even as far as Indonesia.
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