COMMUNIQUE

Dicastery for the Service of Charity

Apostolic Almoner

Pope Francis, saddened by the “piecemeal third world war” that is afflicting the world, prays every day for peace, calling loudly for an end to the conflicts that stain the earth with blood: in tormented Ukraine, in Syria, in many countries in Africa and now in Israel and Palestine. As a tangible sign of his participation in the sufferings of those who live the consequences of war first-hand, and at this Christmas time, he has sent his Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, to the Holy Land.

Indeed, it is the Holy Father’s desire that this journey be accompanied by prayer to obtain the gift of peace in the territories where the clamour of weapons is still heard. On 8 June 2014, in the Vatican Gardens in the presence of the Israeli President Shimon Peres and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Pope recited a prayer that is still very relevant today:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. May the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!

Cardinal Krajewski will join in this great invocation for peace alongside the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and all the local Church, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Prince of Peace and only hope for the world.

Vatican City, 22 December 2023