Pope Francis unites Catholics in hope for peace

In an emotional appeal, Pope Francis yesterday urged world leaders to save the human race from sorrow and death and hold back form further expanding the fighting in Syria.

Addressing a crowd of over 100,000 people gather in the Vatican's Square, the Pope led a global day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world. The day included music, prayer, the reciting of the rosary and meditating silence. Wearing a simple white cassock in lieu of his ceremonial robes, Pope Francis described violence and war as the language of death. While the world perfected its means of destruction, consciences have been silenced, he said.

As United States and France considering military action against President Bashar al-Assad after a chemical weapons attack near Damascus, the Pope united the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in prayer for a peaceful outcome. Catholics around the world were urged to pray and fast. Members of other religions were asked to participate in the vigil in their own ways. Vigils were also held on the Montmartre hill and inside the Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris, in Jerusalem, Assisi, Milan, Boston and Baghdad.

Police officers and security kept people bearing slogans against an international military intervention in Syria outside St Peter's Square.