Pope Francis calls for peace in the Central African Republic after disputed elections

Pope Francis called Wednesday for peace in the Central African Republic following controversial elections.

In his address to the Angelus on January 6, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the pope expressed concern over the unrest following the vote on December 27 for the election of the country's president and the National Assembly.

"I am following the events in the Central African Republic closely and with concern, where elections were recently held in which the people expressed their desire to continue on the path of peace," he said.

"I invite all parties to a fraternal and respectful dialogue, to reject all forms of hatred and to avoid all forms of violence".

Pope Francis has a deep connection with the impoverished and landlocked nation that has suffered civil war since 2012. In 2015 he visited the country, opening the Holy Door of the Catholic cathedral in the capital, Bangui, in preparation for the Year of Mercy .

Sixteen candidates ran for the presidential election. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the incumbent president, declared re-election with 54% of the votes, but other candidates said the vote was marred by irregularities.

A Catholic bishop reported on January 4 that rebels supporting a former president had kidnapped the city of Bangassou. Bishop Juan José Aguirre Muñoz appealed to prayer, saying that the children involved in the violence were "very frightened".

As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, the pope gave his Angelus speech in the library of the Apostolic Palace, rather than at the window overlooking St. Peter's Square, where the crowd would have gathered.

In his speech before reciting the Angelus, the pope recalled that Wednesday marked the solemnity of the Epiphany. Referring to the first reading of the day, Isaiah 60: 1-6, he recalled that the prophet had a vision of a light in the midst of darkness.

Describing the vision as “more current than ever”, he said: “Certainly, darkness is present and threatening in everyone's life and in the history of humanity; but the light of God is more powerful. It has to be welcomed so that it can shine on everyone ”.

Turning to the Gospel of the day, Matthew 2: 1-12, the pope said that the evangelist showed that the light was "the child of Bethlehem".

“He was born not only for some but for all men and women, for all peoples. Light is for all peoples, salvation is for all peoples, ”he said.

He then reflected on how the light of Christ continued to spread throughout the world.

He said: “It does not do this through the powerful means of the empires of this world that are always trying to take power. No, the light of Christ spreads through the proclamation of the Gospel. Through the proclamation ... with the word and witness “.

"And with this same 'method' God has chosen to come among us: the incarnation, that is, approaching the other, meeting the other, assuming the reality of the other and bearing the witness of our faith to everyone" .

“Only in this way can the light of Christ, who is Love, shine in those who welcome it and attract others. The light of Christ does not expand only through words, through false, commercial methods… No, no, through faith, word and testimony. Thus the light of Christ expands. "

The pope added: “The light of Christ does not expand through proselytism. It expands through testimony, through the confession of faith. Even through martyrdom. "

Pope Francis said we should welcome light, but never think about owning or "managing" it.

"No. Like the Magi, we too are called to let ourselves be fascinated, attracted, guided, enlightened and converted by Christ: He is the journey of faith, through prayer and contemplation of the works of God, who continually fills us with joy and amazement, an ever new wonder. That wonder is always the first step to move forward in this light, ”he said.

After reciting the Angelus, the pope launched his appeal for the Central African Republic. He then offered Christmas greetings to the "brothers and sisters of the Eastern, Catholic and Orthodox Churches", who will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord on 7 January.

Pope Francis noted that the feast of the Epiphany also marked the World Day of Missionary Childhood, established by Pope Pius XII in 1950. He said that many children around the world would commemorate the day.

“I thank each of them and encourage them to be joyful witnesses of Jesus, always trying to bring brotherhood among your peers,” he said.

The pope also sent a special greeting to the Three Kings Parade Foundation, which, he explained, "organizes evangelization and solidarity events in numerous cities and villages in Poland and other nations".

Concluding his speech, he said: “I wish you all a good day of celebration! Please don't forget to pray for me ”.