"Do Penance For Peace": Pope Francis During His Wednesday General Audience

Vatican City, February 12, 2025 – During his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a heartfelt and unscripted appeal for world peace, setting aside remarks he had prepared to deliver during the event. Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he called on Catholics worldwide to pray daily and offer acts of penance to end global conflicts.

“I think of all those countries at war,” the Pope said. “Sisters, brothers, let us pray for peace. Let us all do our part.”

The pontiff emphasised humanity’s collective responsibility in fostering peace, particularly in regions devastated by conflict, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, and South Sudan. He also urged people to embrace their role as protectors of life rather than its destroyers.

“We are not born to kill but to help people grow. May we find pathways of peace,” he implored.

In his address, the Pope made a special mention of Ukraine, a nation he has consistently remembered in all his General Audiences since the outbreak of the war. “How much it suffers!” he lamented, highlighting the ongoing devastation.

Concluding his address, the Holy Father reiterated his urgent plea: “Please, pray for peace. Do penance for peace.”

His words resonated as a powerful call to action, urging believers to take tangible steps toward healing a fractured world.

Courtesy: Vatican News