At the conclusion of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday 7th November, Pope Francis prayed that “the peaceful path of dialogue may prevail” in the Horn of Africa region, especially Ethiopia. He also paid tribute to three new Blesseds in Spain.

The Holy Father expressed his concern over the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa region, particularly Ethiopia, where for more than a year now many have died and a very serious humanitarian crisis is looming.

The Pope said, “I invite everyone to pray for those peoples so harshly struggling, and I renew my appeal that fraternal harmony and the peaceful path of dialogue may prevail.”

In conclusion, he also paid tribute to three martyrs for the faith proclaimed in Manresa, Spain. The three new Blesseds belonged to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin: Benet de Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Josep Oriol de Barcelona and Domènech de Sant Pere de Riudebitlles. They were killed in the Spanish Civil War, during a time of religious persecution in the 1930s.

The Pope recalled their meek and courageous witnesses to Christ, and prayed that “their example help today’s Christians to remain faithful to their vocation, even in times of trial.”