At the end of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis said he hoped that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities could resume a dialogue of reconciliation and peace. He also thanked the sailors who guard the sea against the various forms of pollution and finally greeted all those who were here in the square, who despite the July heat are here!

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, With sorrow, I learned again that blood has been poured out in the Holy Land. I hope that the Israeli and Palestinian leaders can resume direct dialogue to bring an end to the spiral of violence and open paths of reconciliation and peace.

Today is Sea Sunday, dedicated to those who work aboard ships, in the ports and in the maritime industry. I thank the mariners who protect the oceans from various forms of pollution – in addition to their work – and remove from the ocean the garbage that we throw into it, the plastic. The fishermen from San Benedetto del Tronto told me once about the tons of plastic they removed from the sea, as we saw recently on the programme Sua Immagine. I thank the chaplains and volunteers of the Apostolate of the Sea and I entrust all of them to the protection of Mary, Stella maris (Star of the Sea). I would also like remember gratefully all who work for Mediterranea Saving Humans for saving migrants in the sea. Thank you very much, brothers and sisters!

And now I greet you, faithful from Rome and pilgrims, who, despite the July heat, are here in the square! A round of applause to all of you! I am happy to greet in a particular way the girl scouts and university students from Leopoli in Ukraine: I give you all my blessing and I extend it to your dear ones and your people, so severely tried. Let us pray for this people that suffers so much. I greet the people from Poland and I remember the huge pilgrimage that takes place today at the Shrine of Jasna Góra, in Częstochowa.

I greet the young people from the Regnum Christi movement, the scounts from Modica, the parish choir from Saint Stephen Quisquina – Agrigento, the children from the Diocese of Pistoia and the faithful from Sacile.

I hope all of you have a good Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and arrivederci.