Denver, Colo., Apr 10, 2023 / 14:41 pm
Pope Francis and other Christian leaders called for prayer and a rededication to the peace secured in Northern Ireland by the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, acknowledging that “open wounds” from the conflict still exist.
“Today marks the 25th anniversary of the so-called ‘Good Friday Agreement’ or ‘Belfast Agreement,' which ended the decades-long violence that had plagued Northern Ireland,” the pontiff said after the Regina Caeli prayers in Rome on Monday. “With an appreciative spirit, I pray to the God of peace that what was achieved in that historic transition may be consolidated for the benefit of all the men and women of the island of Ireland.”
Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin welcomed the pope’s prayers, saying the pontiff has shown “great interest” in the peace process.
“As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement today, Pope Francis would want us to redouble our efforts at finding solutions to our ongoing problems and to work earnestly at restoring relationships here in order to bring deeper healing and reconciliation on this island, and between these islands,” the archbishop said Monday.