Pope Francis slammed the international
community's "shameful inability" to end the violence sparked by
Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel on the first anniversary of
them in a letter to the Middle East's Catholics on Monday.
He also called for the world to observe a day of fasting and
prayer on the anniversary.
"A year ago, the fuse of hatred was lit; it did not sputter, but
exploded in a spiral of violence, in the shameful inability of
the international community and the most powerful countries to
silence the weapons and put an end to the tragedy of war," the
Argentine pontiff said in the letter.
"Blood is still being shed, as are tears. Anger is growing,
along with the desire for revenge, while it seems that few
people care about what is most needed and what is most desired:
dialogue and peace.
"I never tire of repeating that war is a defeat, that weapons do
not build the future but destroy it, that violence never brings
peace.
"History proves this, yet years and years of conflict seem to
have taught us nothing.
"And you, brothers and sisters in Christ who dwell in the lands
of which the Scriptures speak most often, are a small,
defenceless flock, thirsting for peace...
"People today do not know how to find peace. As Christians, we
must never tire of imploring peace from God.
"That is why, on this day, I have urged everyone to observe a
day of prayer and fasting.
"Prayer and fasting are the weapons of love that change history,
the weapons that defeat our one true enemy: the spirit of evil
that foments war".
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