September 7 - Embrace peace, Pope tells massive prayer vigil

Addressing myriad people in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis denounced war as a “defeat for humanity” and called on world leaders and individual Christians alike to rebuild a “shattered” harmony.

“Let us pray for reconciliation and peace,” the Pope exhorted the crowds. “Let us work for reconciliation and peace, and let us all become, in every place, men and women of reconciliation and peace!”  Pope Francis and an estimated one hundred thousand people knelt in prayer together in St. Peter’s Square Saturday evening, seeking peace throughout the globe and especially in Syria. The Vatican prayer vigil included hymns, scripture readings, and silent reflection as incense drifted into the night sky.

“Look upon your brother’s sorrow and do not add to it. Stay your hand! Rebuild the harmony that has been shattered!”

Violence, he said, repeats the sin of the first murderer, Cain. “We bring about the rebirth of Cain in every act of violence and every war. All of us,” Pope Francis declared. “Even today we continue this history of conflict between brothers. Even today we raise our hand against our brother.”