“Even I kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say ‘stop the violence,'” Pope Francis dramatically appealed at the conclusion of his March 17 weekly General Audience, today focused on prayer and the Trinity.

The private audience, whose full text can be read here, was streamed again from the Pope’s apostolic library. This comes as Italy, only two days ago, again returned to being almost entirely a ‘red zone,’ i.e. in lockdown, as the country battles this most recent wave of the coronavirus and its variants.

“Once again, and with great sorrow,” the Pope lamented, “I feel it is urgent to mention the dramatic situation in Myanmar, where many people, especially the young, are losing their lives to offer hope to their country.”

“I too kneel in the streets of Myanmar and say: End the violence! I too reach out my arms and say: may dialogue prevail!”

Exaudi had published an exclusive interview last Friday with Cardinal Bo of Myanmar, Archbishop of Yangon and President of Asia’s Bishops, who lamented that as democratic efforts in the nation are not succeeding, Myanmar’s people have spoken through their blood and tears.

Myanmar’s crisis is attracting worldwide attention by human rights organizations and the International Community.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Cardinal Bo: The People of Myanmar Have Spoken Through Tears & Blood