Vatican: Pope Francis asks Middle East bishops to keep hope alive

Pope Francis met this Wednesday, August 28, with the members of the Latin Episcopal Conference in the Arab regions, an occasion that he took advantage of to denounce the tragedy of war, express his closeness and invite them to maintain hope.

“The Middle East is experiencing moments of very strong tension, which in some contexts lead to open confrontations and flashes of war,” he noted at the beginning of his speech.

In this sense, he regretted that the war, instead of finding an equitable solution, “seems to become chronic, with the risk of spreading until the entire region is set on fire.”

“This situation has caused thousands and thousands of deaths, enormous destruction, immense suffering and the spread of feelings of hatred and resentment, which prepare the ground for new tragedies,” he continued.

Later, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to them: “May the Lord always give you the strength to bear witness to your faith in Him, also through respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone.”

He also encouraged them to keep “hope burning.” “Be yourselves, for everyone, signs of hope, a presence that nourishes words and gestures of peace, brotherhood, and respect.”

“A presence that, by itself, invites reason, reconciliation, to overcome with good will divisions and enmities stratified and hardened over time, increasingly inextricable. Thank you for being the flame of hope where it seems to go out!” exclaimed the Pontiff.

Finally, he invited them to ensure “adequate Christian formation for students in public schools, in contexts where the Christian presence is a minority.”

“This formation is of great importance, so that the contents of faith are known and accompanied by reflection, and so that faith, in confrontation with culture, is strengthened and has the means to give reasons for Christian hope,” he concluded.