Pope Francis is concerned about recent political developments in Myanmar, where tens of thousands of citizens have been protesting Monday’s military coup.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis on Sunday expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and called on its leaders to show their willingness to serve the common good.
Speaking after the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said he was following with great concern the developments in Myanmar, “a nation I carry in my heart with much affection, since my apostolic visit there in 2017.”
“At this delicate time, he said, ‘I want to ensure my spiritual closeness, prayer and solidarity with the people of Myanmar.’
“I pray,” the Pope continued, “that those with political responsibility show a sincere desire to serve the common good, promoting social justice and national stability,” for a harmonious and democratic coexistence, and called on the faithful to join the prayer for the nation.
The biggest protests in recent years
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people gathered in Myanmar on Sunday to denounce last week’s coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in the largest protests since the 2007 Saffron Revolution. helped lead democratic reforms.
On the second day of large-scale protests, crowds from the largest city, Yangon.
In the afternoon, the military junta put an end to a one-day blockade on the Internet that ignited the anger of last Monday’s coup.
A line of policemen armed with riot gear set up barricades, but did not try to stop the demonstration. Some protesters allegedly presented flowers to the police as a sign of peace.
The coup was carried out by army commander Min Aung Hlaing, who alleged fraud in the November elections in which, as a de facto leader and symbol of democracy, Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide. The Electoral Commission rejected the allegations of malpractice.
More than 160 people have been arrested since the army took power.