Pope's heartfelt appeal for peace in Syria

Pope Francis has launched a heartfelt appeal for peace in Syria, expressing his pain and concern regarding the conflict and asking the concerned parties and the international community to embark on the path of negotiation, setting aside partisan interests. On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. the Holy Father with the people will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Let us unite our hearts and minds to the hear and mind of Pope Francis, and let us be united to this intention. Together, as a parochial community, let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us! Fr. Agustin, pastor.