Pope declares February 23 worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace

macfranc007 February 04, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Nkem Ikeke

- Pope Francis has appealed Roman Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians to observe February 23 as a day of prayer and fasting

- The appeal is because of the 'tragic prolonging' of conflicts around the world

- The Pope said each person can say ‘no’ to violence in their own way

Pope Francis has declared February 23 as a day of prayer, fasting and initiatives for peace.

He called on Roman Catholics, all Christians and members of other religions, to ‘say no’ to violence and conflict, Vanguard reports.

He made the appeal while addressing tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly blessing, on Sunday, February 4.

February 23 is a Friday in the first full week of the Christian season of Lent, during which fasting from food and extra acts of charity are encouraged as a sign of penitence.

He said: “Everyone, in their own consciences, before God, should ask ‘what can I do for peace?’

“Surely, we can pray but not only: each one of us can say ‘no’ to violence in their own way, because victories obtained through violence are false victories, while working for peace benefits all.”

The Pope stated that the prayers and fasting should be offered in a particular way for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

South Sudan has been hit by a prolonged civil war and humanitarian crisis while the Democratic Republic of Congo has been hit by unrest this month following the shooting of protesting pro-democracy churchgoers opposed to President Joseph Kabila.

In an earlier report by NAIJ.com, Pope Francis denounced ‘fake news’ as evil and urged journalists to make it their mission to search for the truth.

The pope said the first case of fake news is in the Bible when Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit based on disinformation from the serpent.

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Comparing fake news to the serpent's message of temptation in the Bible, Pope Francis said: "We need to unmask what could be called the 'snake tactics' used by those who disguise themselves in order to strike at any time and place."

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