On the day the Church remembers the first martyr, St. Stephen, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the Christian communities around the world who are persecuted for their faith.
POPE FRANCIS
I am close to Christian communities that suffer discrimination and urge them to persevere in charity toward all, striving peacefully for justice and religious freedom.
According to Aid to the Church in Need, religious freedom is violated in one out of every three countries in the world.
The Pope also commended St. Stephen for his work towards world peace.
POPE FRANCIS
The media shows us what war produces: we have seen Syria, we see Gaza. We think of the battered Ukraine. A desert of death. Is this what is wanted? The people want peace. Let us pray for peace. Let us fight for peace.
Around 15,000 people prayed the Angelus with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on St. Stephen's Day, which is a feast day in Italy.
JRB
TR: AT
