Pope Francis Begs for Peace From Fighting Nations

Pope Francis appeared for his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, on Sunday. The much adored pope was completing his final address to those in attendance, when he stated his thoughts have been on the events transpiring in the Middle East and Ukraine. He interrupted his own speech to beg for peace, by telling the warring nations to stop the fighting. “I ask you with all my heart, it’s time to stop. Stop, please.” He said, his voice breaking in sincere emotion.

Francis continued and stated he thinks of the children above everything else. He stated children are in the center of the conflict, and their futures are being deprived of hope.

The pope’s plea for peace has been echoed around the globe. Since the start of the Gaza Strip battle, over 1,000 people - including dozens of children- have been killed. Joining the call of a cease-fire is President Obama, who is calling it a crime against humanitarian efforts. The warring nations have continued to spar, breaking past cease-fires, as the death toll rises.

The loss of life continues, as seen by Malaysia Flight MH17 which was shot down from the sky as it flew over the troubled eastern region of Ukraine. In other parts of the World, the Boko Haram militant group continues to invade villages, killing scores of residents in Nigeria. In Iraq, civil war is ongoing on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) storms through cities to scatter residents and command government units. Some of the images received leave nightmares, depicting murdered children, decapitated soldiers and limbless bodies - the torment for grieving families is unbearable as the fighting continues on.

There is global unrest, and those watching the horror unfold unite with the pope’s words on a call for peace.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released stunning numbers regarding the Gaza Strip battle. Since it began, more than 200 children have been killed. A truce between Israel and Hamas ended without extension, and rockets immediately erupted in the skies.

Refugees from Iraq, Palestine and even the Ukraine continue to grow in concerning numbers. Many residents are so devastated by the loss of their families and homes, they are remaining in their destroyed residences. One man told the Telegraph UK that if the war continues for another week, he would go back “to the ruins of my home and die there.”

Pope Francis is crying out for peace, as governments and militants around the world continue to inflict harm upon their own citizens or fellow countries to instill their own brand of authority.