During the Angelus, Francis echoed the appeal of the Burmese bishops "that the weapons of destruction be transformed into instruments of growth in humanity and justice". He expressed his closeness to St Mary's Church in Istanbul, which was attacked this morning. A new appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East: 'Respect the people'.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis' first thoughts following the midday Angelus this morning were for the people of Myanmar. "For three years now (since the coup of 2021, ed.) the cry of pain and the noise of weapons have replaced smiles," the Pope observed before joining the Burmese bishops in their appeal "that the weapons of destruction be transformed into instruments of growth in humanity and justice."

"Peace is a path," he added, calling on the parties involved "to take steps of dialogue and to clothe themselves with understanding" so that Myanmar can reach "the goal of fraternal reconciliation".

This was the first in a series of appeals and expressions of closeness. Not least the one the Pope made to the community of St Mary's Catholic Church in the Saniyer district of Istanbul, which this morning, at around 9.40 a.m. Italian time, "suffered an armed attack during Mass that left one person dead and several wounded," Bergoglio announced from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

The victim was reportedly a Turkish national and the attack was condemned by Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. This is the umpteenth attack on a church: a phenomenon that has seen an "unprecedented" increase in the past year, according to the Open Doors 2024 report on the persecution of Christians around the world.

"Let the transit of humanitarian aid be allowed to guarantee the necessities of every person," the Holy Father also said. The request applies to all conflict zones: Myanmar, Israel and Palestine.

"Wherever there is fighting," he added, "let the populations be respected. Francis then addressed a special thought to the "victims, especially civilians, caused by the war in Ukraine".

He asked for their attention and care: "Let their cry for peace be heard, the cry of people who are tired of violence and want the war to end. The latter, the Pope reiterated with conviction, "is a disaster for peoples and a defeat for humanity". 

Speaking again about peace, Bergoglio greeted the boys and girls of Catholic Action, parishes and Catholic schools in Rome, who, together with their teachers and parents, arrived in large numbers at St Peter's at the end of the 45th Caravan of Peace through the streets of the capital. The young people filled the square with enthusiasm, singing and dancing from a stage set up for the occasion.

"You have reflected on the call to be guardians of creation, God's gift (the theme of this year's Ac is "This is your home!", ed)," said the Holy Father. "Thank you for your presence," he continued.

"And thank you for your commitment to building a better society." Joining Pope Francis at the window during today's Angelus were two Acr children who read a message. "We are here to shout to the city our desire for peace," they said.

The Pope also said he was relieved by the "liberation of the nuns and other people kidnapped with them in Haiti last week". Referring to the 19 January kidnapping of the six nuns of the Congregation of Saint Anne and some people travelling with them, the release of the nuns took place three days ago.

"I ask that those who are still kidnapped be set free. And that all forms of violence end,' the Pontiff said. He went on to call for a shared commitment on all sides to put an end to the conflicts: "Let everyone offer their contribution to the peaceful development of the country, for which renewed support from the international community is needed". 

Finally, Pope Francis recalled the World Leprosy Day that falls today. "I encourage those who are engaged in the relief and social reintegration of people affected by this disease, which, although in decline, is still among the most feared, affecting the poorest and most marginalised," he said.

A large banner of the Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau was present in St. Peter's Square. For 60 years the  NGO that has been committed to the fight against leprosy and the forms of discrimination and marginalisation that result from it.

During the commentary which preceded the Marian prayer, Pope Francis focused his attention on "the chains that can bind our hearts". He referred to the Gospel episode  (Mk 1:21-28), in which Jesus "liberates a person possessed by an evil spirit". In fact, the devil "wants to possess in order to chain our souls," he said.

The chains the Holy Father spoke of are: addictions, "which make us slaves, always dissatisfied, consuming energy, goods and affections"; dominant fashions, "which push us towards impossible perfectionism, consumerism and hedonism"; temptations and conditioning, "which undermine self-esteem and serenity"; fear, "which makes us look to the future with pessimism"; and the idolatry of power, "which generates conflicts and resorts to weapons that kill".

"Jesus came to liberate us" from all this, Bergoglio said. In fact, he "never entered into dialogue with the devil".

The Pope added that when one feels "tempted and oppressed" it is good to invoke him, because the Lord wants to repeat to the "evil one" even today: "Go away, leave this heart alone, do not divide the world, families, our communities [...]. So that love, joy and meekness may reign among them, and that instead of violence and cries of hatred there may be freedom and peace".