After praying the noonday Angelus on March 24, 2019, with the crowd in St. Peter’s Square the Holy Father turned his attention to those who have been martyred and the victims of violence in a world beset with turmoil.
“Underway in Nicaragua since February 27 is an important conversation to resolve the grave socio-political crisis the country is going through,” the Pope noted. “I accompany the initiative with prayer and I encourage the parties to find a peaceful solution soonest for the good of all.
“Beatified yesterday at Tarragona, Spain, was Mariano Mullerat i Soldevila, a young father of a family and doctor, who died at 39, and who took care of the physical and moral sufferings of brothers, witnessing with his life and martyrdom the primacy of charity and of forgiveness. He is an example for us, for all of us, who find it so hard to forgive. May he intercede for us and help us to follow the path of love and fraternity, despite the difficulties and the tribulations — applause for the New Blessed!
“Observed today is the Day in Memory of Missionary Martyrs. In the course of 2018, numerous Bishops, Priests, Sisters and lay faithful throughout the world, suffered violence, while 40 missionaries were killed, almost double compared to the previous year. To remember this contemporary Calvary of brothers and sisters, persecuted or killed because of their faith in Jesus, is a duty of gratitude of the whole Church, but also a stimulation to witness with courage our faith and hope in Him who, on the cross, conquered hatred and violence forever with His love.
“We pray for the numerous victims of the latest inhuman attacks, which happened in Nigeria and Mali. May the Lord receive these victims, heal their wounds, console their families and convert the cruel hearts.”
