Pope Francis celebrates mass for Burma
Pope Francis during Mass for Burma, May 16, 2021. REUTERS - REMO CASILLI
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Pope Francis celebrated a Mass for Burma at the Vatican this Sunday, May 16.
In front of the representatives of the Burmese diaspora in Rome, the sovereign pontiff wished to preside over this ceremony in sign of support for the Burmese people and the Catholic minority in particular, while the repression continues in the country.
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With our correspondent in the Vatican
,
Éric Sénanque
Before a hundred Burmese men and women religious who had taken their places in Saint Peter's Basilica,
Pope Francis
explained that he wanted to bring the sufferings of their people before God, and to pray with him "
so that God may convert the hearts of all to peace.
".
While
the repression of the military junta
continues thousands of kilometers from Rome, the Sovereign Pontiff called on these Burmese to keep the faith "
even in difficult times
" and to fight against the spiral of violence.
At least 790 civilians killed since the coup
Since
the military junta overthrew power in Burma
, at least 790 civilians have been killed, according to a local organization. "
At least five of our members have been killed and more than ten injured
" this week, a spokesperson for the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), a local militia, said on Sunday. More and more Burmese are joining together as armed groups to confront and ambush military forces.
“
To keep the faith is to keep the gaze raised to the sky while on earth we fight and we shed innocent blood. It is not to give in to the logic of hatred and revenge, but to remain with our gaze turned towards this God of love who calls us to be brothers among ourselves,
”he declared. The Pope also recalled that the commitment to peace and fraternity was born "
always from below: everyone, at their level,
he said
, can do their part
".
This Mass at Saint-Pierre was a long-awaited moment for Burmese Catholics.
“
Our people deserve better and want peace,
” recalled a priest, thanking the Pope at the end of the celebration.
For many in Burma, this Mass "
is a great miracle, a wonderful thing for them
", he explained.
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