The Pope’s Plea for Peace: Solidarity with Eastern Christians in Conflict Zones
In a heartfelt address to members of ROACO, the Holy See’s humanitarian arm for the Oriental Churches, Pope Francis renewed his call for peace and solidarity with Eastern Christians fleeing conflicts.
By Lisa Zengarini
During the 97th plenary assembly of ROACO in Rome, Pope Francis once again urged an end to violence in conflict zones, emphasizing the need for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. He pleaded with those profiting from conflicts to stop fueling violence, stating that true peace cannot come from brutality.
Focus on Middle East and Ukraine
The four-day sessions of the assembly focused on the dire situations in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and Ethiopia, as well as the pastoral care of Eastern Catholics outside their territories.
Martyr Churches
Pope Francis lamented that many Eastern Churches have become “martyr Churches”, suffering and bleeding due to ongoing conflicts. He highlighted the plight of Eastern Catholics in regions like the Holy Land, Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and the Caucasus, calling for solidarity with those facing the brutality of war.
He urged members of ROACO to continue supporting Eastern Catholic Churches during these challenging times, encouraging clergy and religious leaders to prioritize the Gospel over self-interest and division.
The Pope expressed gratitude to ROACO representatives for their service, noting that their efforts are sowing seeds of hope in war-torn regions.
Ceasefire in the Holy Land now!
Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in the Holy Land and emphasized the importance of dialogue for peaceful coexistence. He warned that war only leads to defeat for all parties involved and urged global solidarity with Christians in conflict zones.
Pray for peace in Ukraine, free prisoners!
The Pope requested prayers for peace in Ukraine and the release of prisoners of war. He also extended fraternal greetings to Armenia, facing its own conflicts.
Supporting Eastern Christians living in the diaspora
In closing, Pope Francis addressed the challenges faced by Eastern Christians in the diaspora, emphasizing the need to preserve their religious identity and spiritual heritage. He called for special attention from Latin dioceses towards supporting Eastern Catholics living outside their traditional territories.
