I thank God for the journey I was able to make in recent days to Kazakhstan, on the occasion of the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, and I express my spiritual closeness to the families of the victims of the recent clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, said Pope Francis after reciting the Angelus this Sunday, 11 September 2022, with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

After the Angelus, the Pope continued:

Dear brothers and sisters!

I thank God for the journey I was able to make in recent days to Kazakhstan for the VII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. I am going to talk about it next Wednesday at the General Audience.

I am saddened by the recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I express my spiritual closeness to the families of the victims, and I urge the parties to respect the ceasefire in view of a peace agreement. Let us not forget that peace is possible when weapons are silenced and dialogue begins! And let us continue to pray for the suffering people of Ukraine and for peace in every land bloodied by war.

I wish to assure my prayers for the people of the Marches (region of Italy) hit by severe flooding. I pray for those who died and their families, for the injured and for those who have suffered serious damage. May the Lord give strength to those communities!

I greet all of you, Romans and pilgrims from various countries. In particular, I greet the Religious of Mary Immaculate from various communities in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe; as well as the faithful of Seville and the “Gruppo Secolare Nostra Signora del Cenacolo.”

I greet the group from Caturano, the Diocese of Capua; the young people of the “Cresima of Gazzaniga” (Bergamo) and those from Soliera (Modena); members of the “Figli in Cielo” community; the Pro Loco of Lazio and the group of veterinary doctors from the province of Verona with their families. I also greet the young people of the “The Economy of Francesco”, who are here in the square today: always go forward! I will see you soon in Assisi.

I address a special thought to the poor and the volunteers of the “Casa di Zaccheo” in Mesagne: may the Lord bless you and may Our Lady keep you.

I wish everyone a good Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and arrivederci!