Pope marks anniversary of Christians martyred in Libya Published 2/16/2021 thebostonpilot.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thebostonpilot.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pope marks anniversary of Christians martyred in Libya
Pope Francis speaks in a video message released Feb. 15, 2021, to mark the “Day of Contemporary Martyrs.” In the message, the pope honored the 21 Coptic Christians beheaded on a beach in Libya by members of the Islamic State Feb. 15, 2015. (CNS photo/Holy See Press Office)
By Junno Arocho Esteves • Catholic News Service • Posted February 16, 2021
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Marking the sixth anniversary of the beheading of 21 Christians on a beach in Libya, Pope Francis said they gave witness to Christ through their martyrdom.
In a video message released Feb. 15 for an online event commemorating the “Day of Contemporary Martyrs,” the pope said that while their brutal murder was a tragedy, it was also true that “from their simplicity, from their simple but consistent faith, they received the greatest gift a Christian can receive: bearing witness to Jesus Christ to the point of giving their life.”
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Children attend Mass in 2018 in Lugi, a village in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Photo: CNS, Paul Jeffrey
Renewing their pledge to visit South Sudan, Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury urged the political leaders of the country to start trusting one another and give their people the peace they need and deserve.
“We have been glad to see the small progress you have made, but know it is not enough for your people to feel the full effect of peace,” said the letter, which also was signed by a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Martin Fair, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Pope urges South Sudanese leaders to renew peace process in Christmas message
Pope Francis signs an ecumenical Christmas message to the political leaders of South Sudan, and urges them to make greater strides along the path of peace and service to the nation.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis has sent Christmas greetings to the political leaders of South Sudan once again this year.
As with last year’s message, the Pope was joined by Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Reverend Martin Fair, in signing the Christmas message.
VATICAN CITY — Renewing their pledge to visit South Sudan, Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury urged the political leaders of