Pope Francis finishes Colombia trip, urges followers to work for 'a more peaceful future'
Pope Francis wrapped up his Colombia trip by urging Colombians to follow his lead in working for a more peaceful future.
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Pope Francis wrapped up his Colombia trip Sunday by honouring a fellow Jesuit who ministered to African slaves and urging Colombians to follow his lead in working for a more peaceful future. Reuters
On Sunday, he prayed at the tomb of St. Peter Claver, the 17th century missionary who ministered to hundreds of thousands of African slaves who were brought through Cartagena's port during Spanish colonial times to be sold. Reuters
He urged Colombians to take a courageous first step to reconcile with one another after a half-century of armed conflict. "Colombia, your brothers and sisters need you. Go out to meet them. Bring them the embrace of peace, free of all violence. "Be slaves of peace forever," he said in a final appeal at the end of Mass in Cartagena's port. Reuters
Francis had refrained until Sunday from speaking out about the political and humanitarian crisis next door in Venezuela. But in remarks added into his Sunday prayer, Francis called for an end to political violence in Venezuela and protection for the poor who have been most hurt by the crisis. Reuters