Pope Francis prays for peace and health - believers united!

Pope Francis prays for peace and health - believers united!

On April 6, 2025, Pope Francis appeared in public again and addressed his Angelus prayer to the faithful. He prayed for the sick and health workers and asked for support and respect for doctors, nurses and all health workers. At a time when global challenges to health systems are increasing, he also called for investments in treatment and research to support those in need. Francis also spoke about the ongoing conflicts and called for peace for civilians in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, where many innocent people, including children, are suffering.

In his address, the Pope called for an end to violence and a resumption of dialogue in crisis areas. He prayed for differences and conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Haiti and appealed to people to maintain hope for peace. Around 20,000 believers gathered in St. Peter's Square to take part in a mass for the sick and healthcare workers. This was led by Archbishop Rino Fisichella while Pope Francis was absent due to his convalescence.

The Holy Year celebration of the sick

The mass was a highlight of the New Year celebration for the sick. In his homily, which focused on the theme "Sickness as a school of love", Archbishop Fisichella quoted the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, now I am doing something new. It is already sprouting, don't you notice?" This message, addressed to a suffering people in exile, was linked to the experiences of the sick and health workers. It emphasizes the importance of sticking together in times of despair and not losing sight of the possibilities for healing and hope.

Words of encouragement were also addressed to health workers, who were called upon to act with gratitude and humanity. Illness has been described as one of the hardest trials of life, in which God does not leave people alone in their weakness. The sermon addressed, on the one hand, the challenges in healthcare and, on the other hand, the need to share the dignity and suffering of the sick as fundamental aspects of the human experience.

Peace and violence in the world

In a larger context, the Pope's words are related to the complexity of the relationship between faith and violence. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, religious differences are rarely the main cause of conflicts; Often it is political and economic factors that lead to violence. Although the number of armed conflicts worldwide has been declining since the 1990s, the connection between religion and violence remains a controversial issue.

Religious movements can generate both peaceful and violent mobilizations. In order to prevent the instrumentalization of religious differences by violent elites, it is important to protect the autonomy of religious communities and promote religious education. The pope calls on the faithful to seek peace through dialogue and shared understanding, which is crucial in times of global conflict.

The return of Pope Francis after 38 days of inpatient treatment in the Vatican shows that the pontiff is again actively participating in church life and maintaining his commitment to the most vulnerable in society. As the 2025 Jubilee Year opens, it is expected that the Pope will continue to play a central role in the global dialogue on peace and humanity.