Pope Francis called for a greater commitment to human rights: “The commitment to human rights never ends! For this reason, I am close to all those who silently fight for human rights in their daily lives and also pay personally to defend the rights of those who do not count”, said the Catholic leader this Sunday after midday prayer in St. Pedro Francisco also called for respect for human rights in wars and conflicts.
Here, in a practical translation, we document the Pope's catechesis during the midday prayer of the 2nd Sunday of Advent 2023.
Stefanie Stahlhofen – Vatican City
Human Rights Day has been celebrated on December 10 for 75 years, since the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” was adopted by the United Nations in Paris on December 10, 1948. Pope Francis praised the declaration as a “bullet silver”. Many steps have already been taken in the right direction – but there is still much to be done and there have also been steps backwards, Francisco said.
This Sunday the Pope spoke again as usual from the window of the Apostolic Palace facing St. Peter's Square. Last Sunday, the 1st of Advent, Francisco said midday prayer at Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican, due to illness; was broadcast on a screen in St. Peter's Square. The church leader also had to cancel his planned trip to the COP28 world climate summit in Dubai. For the summit, which ends on December 12th, the Pope asked for prayers this Sunday “so that good results are achieved” in protecting the environment and people.
In his appeals after midday prayer this Sunday, Francis also addressed conflicts and wars in the world:
“I am pleased with the release of a significant number of Armenian and Azerbaijani prisoners. “I look with hope at this positive sign for relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and for peace in the South Caucasus, and I encourage all parties and their leaders to conclude a peace agreement as quickly as possible,” the Pope underlined. on Thursday, in a joint statement, they announced that they wanted to exchange captured soldiers. Both also expressed their intention to conclude a peace treaty.
Pope Francis also appealed again this Sunday for prayers for peace in other regions of the world:
“And let us continue to pray for all the people who suffer because of wars. We are on the way to Christmas: will we be able, with God's help, to take concrete steps towards peace? It's not easy, we know that. Certain conflicts have deep historical roots. But we also have the testimony of men and women who worked with wisdom and patience for peaceful coexistence; “May we follow their example!” was the Pope's appeal, without naming specific areas of war or conflict. However, the context made it clear that it was probably also referring to the conflict in the Middle East. Pope Francis then continued:
“And in the meantime – the human rights issue – civilians must be protected, hospitals, places of worship. The hostages must be released and humanitarian aid must be guaranteed. “Let us not forget the martyred Ukraine, Palestine and Israel”, warned the leader of the Catholic Church again. Meanwhile, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for a ceasefire in the war in the Middle East. The Gaza Strip is on the ground and collapsing, Tedros told an emergency meeting of the WHO Executive Board this Sunday in Geneva. Meanwhile, Russia has again launched major attacks against the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, in recent days.
During midday prayers at the Vatican, Pope Francis also remembered the victims of a fire at a hospital in Tivoli, not far from Rome. At least four people died and several hundred had to be evacuated. Pope Francis assured his prayers for the victims.
(Vatican news – sst)