Pope Francis appeals for peace in Venezuela

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday made an urgent appeal for peace in Venezuela.

Speaking at the end of his weekly General Audience, the Holy Father expressed his hope that “violence and hostility will cease as soon as possible.”

He called on “the whole Venezuelan people,” beginning with political leaders and institutions, “to promote reconciliation through mutual forgiveness and sincere dialogue.”

Concluding his appeal, Pope Francis asked all believers to invoke the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto — the Patroness of Venezuela — as they prayed to God “that the country might quickly find peace and harmony.”

Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of Pope Francis’ Appeal for Venezuela:

I am following with particular concern what is happening these days in Venezuela. I sincerely hope that violence and hostility will cease as soon as possible, and that the whole Venezuelan People, beginning with political leaders and institutions, will endeavour to promote reconciliation through mutual forgiveness and a sincere dialogue, respectful of truth and justice, that is capable of dealing with concrete issues for the common good. As I assure you of my constant prayer, especially for those who lost their lives in the fighting and for their families, I invite all believers to lift up prayers to God, through the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, so that the country might quickly find peace and harmony.