Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the World.

     At the end of his homily Wednesday in Saint Peter’s Square for the Opening of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis asked that everyone join him on Monday, October 7, for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the World.

     Monday will mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.
“Brothers and sisters, we begin anew our synodal path with an eye toward the world, since the Christian community is always at the service of humanity in order to announce the joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis said. “In such a dramatic time in our history, when the winds of war and the flames of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations, there is a need for this message.”

     “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.”
A long traditionDays of fasting and prayer for warzones have been a constant throughout the pontificate of Pope Francis. Not six months after his election, on September 7, 2013, the Pope gathered thousands of people in St. Peter's Square to pray for peace in Syria.
 Please participate in this Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the World as best as you are able.