Pope Francis Leads Peace Prayer Vigil For Syria With 100,000 At St. Peter's Square At Vatican

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/07/pope-francis-peace-vigil-_n_3887849.html

By NICOLE WINFIELD 09/07/13 07:37 PM ET EDT


Pope Francis attends a vigil for peace in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013. Tens of thousands of people have answered Pope Francis' call and massed in St. Peter's Square for a 4-hour-long prayer vigil for peace in Syria. It was believed to be one of the first, and certainly the largest popular rally in the West against U.S.-led plans to strike Syria following the Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack near Damascus. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

VATICAN CITY -- Tens of thousands of people filled St. Peter's Square for a four-hour Syria peace vigil late Saturday, answering Pope Francis' call for a grassroots cry for peace that was echoed by Christians and non-Christians alike in Syria and in vigils around the world.

The Vatican estimated about 100,000 took part in the Rome event, making it one of the largest rallies in the West against proposed U.S.-led military action against the Syrian regime following the Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack near Damascus.

Francis spent most of the vigil in silent prayer, but during his speech he issued a heartfelt plea for peace, denouncing those who are "captivated by the idols of dominion and power" and destroy God's creation through war.

"This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!" he said.

more at link including slideshow

[global1]

1. I Heard The Pope Sent A Letter To Putin Re: Syria....

did he also send a letter to President Obama? PBO is the one that wants to strike Syria - not Putin. I would think that a letter to PBO is preferred.

[cbayer]

2. I don't see any reports about a letter to Obama, but some are interpreting this whole

event as a direct message to Obama.

Sometimes the voices of 100,000 are more forceful than any letter. And that's just the one's who gathered at the vatican.

[hrmjustin]

3. Glad he came out strong for peace.