Pope prays for lasting peace in the North

Pope Francis prayed on Monday for lasting peace in the North, as the island of Ireland marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Pope included the offering in his Regina Coeli prayer on April 10, saying: “With a grateful spirit, I pray to the God of peace that what was achieved in that historic passage may be consolidated for the benefit of all men and women of the island of Ireland.”

The Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomed the Pope’s prayers, saying he is “always anxious to be kept up-to-date with developments here”.

“I am confident that his prayerful thoughts today will be welcomed by all people of goodwill,” Archbishop Martin continued.

Writing in The Irish Catholic this week, Dr Martin thanked God for the lives and livelihoods saved by the Good Friday Agreement.

“At the same time, I think we must all share responsibility that its vision has not yet been significantly accomplished – a vision of ‘partnership, equality and mutual respect’,” he added.