Young people gather in St. Peter’s Square as part of the “Caravan for Peace” (Vatican Media)
By Devin Watkins
Jan 30 2023
Pope Francis joins thousands of young people in St. Peter’s Square in an appeal for peace in our world, especially in war-torn Ukraine.
St. Peter’s Square was filled on Sunday with young pilgrims who participated in the “Caravan for Peace” initiative, organized by the Catholic Action group in Rome.
Greeting the young people following the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis joined in their prayers for peace.
He said the group’s prayers and commitment to peace are even more important this year as Europe witnesses the war in Ukraine.
“Let us think of Ukraine and pray for the Ukrainian people, who are so mistreated,” he said.
Lachin Corridor crisis
The Pope also renewed his appeal for the “grave humanitarian situation in the Lachin Corridor in the South Caucusus.”
The Lachin Corridor is Nagorno-Karabakh’s land link with Armenia, and has been blocked by Azerbaijan since mid-December as protesters keep supplies from reaching the 120,000 Armenians living in the mountainous enclave.
World Leprosy Day
Separately, Pope Francis recalled the commemoration on Sunday of the 70th World Leprosy Day.
He lamented the stigma attached to Hansen’s Disease, which he added continues to cause “serious human rights violations in various parts of the world.”
