Pope Francis prayed for justice and peace in Myanmar as tens of thousands took to the streets of the conflict-scarred nation to protest the military coup.
He used his Angelus address on Feb. 7 to express his concern over the generals’ Feb. 1 power grab that has set back the country’s transition to full democracy. “These days I am following with great concern the developments of the situation that has arisen in Myanmar,” the pope said, adding that Myanmar is “a country that, since the time of my apostolic visit in 2017, I carry in my heart with much affection.” Pope Francis held a moment of silent prayer for Myanmar during his Angelus address and expressed “my spiritual closeness, my prayers and my solidarity” with its people. “I pray that those who have responsibility in the country will place themselves with sincere willingness at the service of the common good, promoting social justice and national stability, for a harmonious coexistence,” he said.
As Feb. 7 marked a day of prayers for peace, Catholics in Myanmar attended Mass, recited special prayers and held fasts following the coup. While they were praying at home or churches, thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the country including Yangon, Mandalay and Monwya to denounce the coup and call for the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and an end to military rule. In Mandalay, the second-largest city of Myanmar, young protesters took to the streets on motorcycles followed by some cars. Older people clapped in support and gave the three-finger salute as some offered food and water to protesters. The salute is a reference to The Hunger Games movies and a popular symbol of recent pro-democracy protests in Thailand that has been adopted in Myanmar.
Young people waved National League for Democracy (NLD) flags while some held banners reading “Military rule fail, fail”, “Oppose military dictatorship” and “Democracy win, win”.
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Harrison Okafor
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
