Pope prays for peace in Nigeria

Eighteen days after his emergence, Pope Francis yesterday celebrated his first Easter in office, appealing for diplomatic solutions to the socio-political problems in Nigeria, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central Africa Republic (CAR). He also sought peace in the Korean peninsula, Syria and Iraq.
Pope Francis decried the continued insurgent attacks in Nigeria when he prayed for Africa, referring to Mali and Nigeria, “where attacks sadly continue.”
Islamic sect Boko Haram (western education is a sin) has been wreaking havoc in Nigeria in the past four years under the guise of islamising the country.
It usually attacks worship places on Sundays, killing and maiming. It also attacks mosques, individuals and others considered as threat to its interest.
Yesterday, one of its operational bases in Kano was raided by soldiers, who recovered arms, ammunition and explosives from the house. The building was demolished.
The Pope also sued for peace across the world.
In his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message, Pope Francis also called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries.
He singled out “dear Syria”, saying: “How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution is found?”
In his speech at the St. Peter’s Square which was decked by spring flowers and packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans, Pope Francis said: “We ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace.”
The Pope mentioned troubled regions of the world in turn.
He said: “Peace for the Middle East, and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who struggle to find the road of agreement, that they may willingly and courageously resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long.
“Peace in Iraq, that every act of violence may end, and above all for dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees who await help and comfort.”
He added: “Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation to grow.”
Pope Francis added: “Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st Century.
“Peace to the whole world, torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources! Peace to this our Earth!