Pope Prays for Iraq and Chile at Angelus

(28 Feb 10 - RV) In two seperate appeals following the midday Angelus prayer with the faithful in St Peter's Square this Sunday Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for the people of Iraq and the earquake victims in Chile:


"I have learned with profound sadness of the tragic news of the recent killings of several Christians in the city of Mosul, and I follow with great concern other episodes of violence, perpetrated in the troubled land of Iraq against defenceless people of different religious affiliation. In these days of intense meditation, I often prayed for all victims of those attacks, and today I wish to join in spirit to pray for peace and the restoration of security, promoted by the Council of Bishops of Nineveh. I am affectionately close to the Christian communities of the entire country. Never tire of being a leaven for good in the country in which you have fully belonged for centuries!

In the delicate political phase that Iraq is going through I appeal to the civil authorities, to make every effort to restore security to the population and, in particular, the most vulnerable religious minorities. I hope the temptation is not given into temporary and partisan interests allowing them to prevail over the safety and fundamental rights of every citizen. Finally, while greeting the Iraqis here in the square, I urge the international community to strive to give the Iraqis a future of reconciliation and justice, as I invoke Almighty God with confidence for the precious gift of peace.

My thoughts also go to Chile and to the people affected by the earthquake, which has caused numerous losses of human lives and enormous damage. I pray for the victims and I am spiritually close to the people sorely affected by this major disaster, for them I implore relief from God for their suffering and courage to overcome adversity. I am sure that the solidarity of many, especially church organizations, will not fail".