Vatican City, Nov 21, 2010 / 10:41 am
Pope Benedict XVI prayed for Christians suffering from persecution and discrimination throughout the world, especially those in Iraq, during the Angelus on Nov. 21.
The Italian bishops invited the faithful to a day of prayer for the persecuted and for their persecutors after the Oct. 31 massacre of dozens of Iraqi Christians celebrating Mass in a Baghdad cathedral. Violence continues to be directed against the country's Christian minorities.
The day of prayer was promoted as a sign of closeness and solidarity to Iraqi Christians and all those persecuted for their faith.
"I join this choral invocation to the God of life and peace, so that in every part of the world religious freedom might be assured to all," said Pope Benedict. He expressed closeness to those in Iraq "for the great testimony of faith that they render to God."