VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging people to be meek and loving so as to build a society where violence will not be considered the solution to problems.
The Pope made this appeal today after praying the Angelus with crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
He turned his attention to two separate tragedies: one in Mumbai, India, where a 60-hour terrorist attack resulted in the death of at least 174 people; and another in Jos, Nigeria, where a disputed election brought fighting between Muslims and Christians and the death of as many as 400 people.
“I would like to invite you to join in prayer for the numerous people killed, wounded or in any way harmed in the brutal terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, and the fighting that has broken out in Jos, Nigeria,” the Holy Father said. “The causes and the circumstances of these tragic events are different but the horror and the disapproval of the explosion of such cruel and senseless violence must be the same.”
The Pontiff asked listeners to appeal to God to “touch the hearts of those who falsely believe that this is the way to resolve local or international problems and let us all feel encouraged to offer an example of meekness and love to build a society worthy of God and man.”
