Pope Francis today prayed for that “the peaceful path of dialogue may prevail” in the Horn of Africa region, especially Ethiopia; and remembered victims from a fuel explosion in Sierra Leone. He also paid tribute to three new Blesseds in Spain, reported Vatican News.

The Holy Father’s prayers came after praying the Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis expressed his concern over the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa region, particularly Ethiopia, where for more than a year now many have died and a very serious humanitarian crisis is looming. The Pope said, “I invite everyone to pray for those peoples so harshly struggling, and I renew my appeal that fraternal harmony and the peaceful path of dialogue may prevail.”

During his General Audience, of September 8, 2021, Pope Francis called for the New Year in Ethiopia to be “a time of fraternity and solidarity in which we listen to the common desire for peace.”

The Pope also assured his prayers for victims of a fire following a fuel explosion on the outskirts of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. At least 98 people were killed and several dozen more were injured when an oil tanker exploded late Friday.

In conclusion, he also paid tribute to three martyrs for the faith proclaimed in Manresa, Spain, yesterday. They three new Blesseds belonged to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin: Benet de Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Josep Oriol de Barcelona and Domènech de Sant Pere de Riudebitlles. They were killed in the Spanish Civil War, during a time of religious persecution in the 1930s. The Pope recalled their meek and courageous witnesses to Christ, and prayed that “their example help today’s Christians to remain faithful to their vocation, even in times of trial.”

Missionary Describes Conflict in Northern Ethiopia