Pope announces day of fasting, prayer for Syria

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is asking people to join him next weekend in a day of fasting for peace in Syria, according,according to AP.

Francis invited people of all faiths to join him in  St. Peter’s Square to invoke the “gift” of peace for Syria, the rest of the Middle East and worldwide where there is conflict.

Declaring “no more war,” Francis spoke to tens of thousands of people gathered in the square on Sunday.

He says the “world needs to see gestures of peace and hear words of peace.” He says that only dialogue, and not armed intervention, can end crisis in Syria.

The five-hour-long prayer vigil in the square Saturday will last until midnight.

M.D