In a heartfelt address to participants of a Vatican conference on martyrdom, the pope highlighted the unity of Christians in the face of persecution, regardless of denominational differences, the Christian Today website reports today (Nov. 17, 2024).
"Even today, in many parts of the world, there are many martyrs who gave their lives to Christ," Pope Francis said, speaking to the "No Greater Love: Martyrdom and Offering of Life" conference.
He lamented that, "In many cases, Christians are persecuted because, pushed by their faith in God, they defend justice, truth, peace, and human dignity."
The conference, which took place from Nov. 11 to 14 in Rome, brought together theologians, scholars, and religious leaders to explore the theological, historical, and cultural significance of martyrdom.
In a bid to further honor these sacrifices, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a special commission within the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. This initiative is dedicated to studying and documenting the lives and testimonies of contemporary martyrs from various Christian traditions, aiming to inspire faith and solidarity among Christians worldwide through 2025.
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