His Holiness Pope calls for October 7 to be day of prayer and fasting for peace

His Holiness Pope Francis says that “in this dramatic hour of our history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,” the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity".

By Joseph Tulloch

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for on October 7, the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the [Israel]-Hamas war.

“In this dramatic hour of our history,” the Pope said, “while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,” the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity."

The Pope was speaking after Mass in St Peter’s Square for the opening of the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod.

He invited all the synod members to accompany him on a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on October 6, the day before the anniversary, where, he said, he will “address a heartfelt petition to the Virgin” for peace.

“Let us walk together,” the Pope urged. “Let us listen to the Lord. And let us be led by the breeze of the Spirit.”…

This news was originally publsihed on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.