HOW POPE FRANCIS NOTES UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS & PRAYS FOR SUFFERERS OF WAR, COP28... (1217 hits)
For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
In a message addressed to Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Pope Francis expresses his hope that the newly released “Hear Angels Cry” Christmas song may inspire solidarity, and prayers for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. Please enjoy listening to the video above.
Pope At Angelus: The Commitment To Human Rights Is Never Finished!
Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis notes the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and prays for all people who are suffering due to war. By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis on Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “It is like a master plan,” he said. “Many steps have been taken, many still need to be made, and, unfortunately, at times, steps backward have been taken.”
“The commitment to human rights is never finished!” he said, adding that he is close to all those who work and fight to defend human rights in the concrete situations of everyday life.
In his remarks following the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father expressed his joy at the release of Armenian and Azerbaijani prisoners. “I look with great hope on this positive sign between Armenia and Azerbaijan, for peace in the South Caucasus,” the Pope said, while encouraging both nations, with their leaders, to conclude a peace treaty “as soon as possible.”
Taking concrete steps for peace
Pope Francis went on to ask for prayers for all peoples suffering from war. “We are heading toward Christmas: Are we able, with God’s help, to take concrete steps for peace?” he asked. While acknowledging the difficulties of resolving conflicts that have deep historical roots, the Pope invited everyone to follow the example of “men and women who have worked wisely and patiently for peaceful coexistence.”
Defence of human rights in war zones
And, returning to the issue of human rights, the Pope called for civilians, hospitals, and places of worship to be protected, for hostages to be freed, and for humanitarian aid to be guaranteed in conflict areas.
Prayer before the Salus Populi Romani icon - Presentation of the Golden Rose
Live from the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pope Francis in prayer before the Salus Populi Romani icon and gift of a "Golden Rose" Watch HERE!: https://www.facebook.com/vaticannews/video...
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Pope To New Ambassadors: 'May COP28 Be An Historic Step Forward'
Speaking to six Ambassadors newly-accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis reiterates his hope that world leaders at COP 28 in Dubai may agree on concrete measures to curb climate change. By Lisa Zengarini
Pope Francis accepted the Credential Letters presented by six new Ambassadors to the Holy See. The nations they represent include Kuwait, New Zealand, Malawi, Guinea, Sweden and Chad.
Multilateral diplomacy for global solutions to crises
Welcoming the diplomats to the Vatican on Thursday, the Pope reiterated his strong concern for world peace at a time he has repeatedly termed as a Third World War fought “piecemeal”, and for the future of our common home threatened by climate change. In this context, he stressed the crucial importance of diplomacy.
“Given the global dimensions of the conflicts in course," the Pope said, "the international community is challenged, through the peaceful means of diplomacy, to seek global solutions to the grave injustices that so often are the cause of those conflicts.”
Recalling his recent Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, Pope Francis again reaffirmed the pressing need to reconfigure multilateral diplomacy to provide “effective responses to emerging problems “and devise “global mechanisms to address the environmental, public health, cultural and social changes presently in course.”
“The patient work of diplomacy must not only seek to prevent and resolve conflicts, but also to consolidate the peaceful coexistence and human flourishing of the world’s peoples by fostering respect for human dignity, defending the inalienable rights of each man, woman and child, and promoting models of integral economic and human development.”
Impacts of climate change on most vulnerable
Pope Francis then focused on climate change and the devastation of the natural environment highlighting the Holy See’s concern for its impact on the most vulnerable.
In this regard, he reiterated the hope he expressed in his recent address to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP28, that world leaders meeting in Dubai “will join in adopting concrete measures to hand on to future generations a world which more fully resembles the fruitful garden that its Creator entrusted to our care and stewardship.
“May, COP28 represent a historic step forward in responding with wisdom and foresight to these clear and present threats to the universal common good”,
