Pope Prays for Kenya, Iraq, Colombia, Families in Asia and the Right to Life

(03 Feb 08 - RV) Appeals for justice and peace in Kenya, Iraq, and Colombia. Greetings to the millions of families throughout Asia who this week will gather together to celebrate the new Lunar Year. The 150^th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Bernadette in Lourdes and the right to life of the unborn child.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke of all of these pressing issues Sunday, asking the thousands of pilgrims huddled beneath umbrellas in St Peter’s square to join in his Angelus prayer.

The Pope began with an appeal for Kenya; “I invite you to unite in prayer with our brothers and sisters in Kenya, some of whom are present here in St. Peter's Square, for reconciliation, justice and peace in their country," he said, adding that he hoped “mediation efforts under way will succeed and, with the good will and cooperation of everyone, lead to a rapid resolution of the conflict which has already produced too many victims”.


Pope Benedict’s thoughts then turned to Iraq, where on Friday in unprecedented and cruel attack, two mentally handicapped women bombers left over 100 dead in Baghdad. The Pope said "Wickedness, with its burden of pain, seems to know no limits in Iraq, as we see from the extremely sad news of recent days”.


Speaking in Spanish the Holy Father also called for reconciliation and justice in Colombia, a country he said was ravaged by "extortion, kidnap and violent death". The Pope said he was appealing to God for an end to this "inhuman" suffering and that he was praying for "reconciliation, mutual respect and sincere harmony to prevail in country". He said that brotherhood and solidarity were "the solid bases to obtain just progress and to construct a stable peace".

On a lighter note Pope Benedict XVI looked ahead to imminent celebrations in Asia to mark the New Lunar Year on February 7, which is celebrated in China, Vietnam, and other countries of the far east. Millions of families said the Pope will gather in joy for these celebrations. Referring to his World Day for Peace Message, Pope Benedict urged them to preserve and treasure those human values of civil coexistence which are born and nurtured in family life.
 Another of the Popes "intentions" this Sunday was connected to the Day for Life, which is celebrated in Italy on the first Sunday in February each year.  Commenting on the theme chosen by the Italian bishops this year, "To serve life", the Pope said: " It is in fact the common task of all to welcome human life as a gift to be respected, protected, and promoted, and all the more so when it is fragile and in need of attention and care, both before birth and at its terminal phase”.


The Pope also recalled Saturday’s Celebration of World the Day for Consecrated Life, he told pilgrims "Our gratitude goes to these, our brothers and sisters who dedicate themselves to the total service of God and of the Church, through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience". 


Finally, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the 150 year anniversary of the apparitions of Lourdes as the universal Church prepares to mark the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11^th. The Holy Father announced that from February 2-11 the faithful will be able to receive a plenary indulgence, which can be applied to the deceased, under the usual conditions - confession, communion, and prayer for the Pope's intentions. This noted Pope Benedict will lead the Universal Church towards that most important period in the Churches calendar of intense spiritual preparation:


“In a few days we will celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our annual Lenten journey towards Easter. May this season of spiritual renewal be for all Christians an occasion to draw nearer to the Lord in prayer, penance and the pursuit of holiness. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!”

Hear the Pope's Angelus Address: