Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to join the four-hour vigil for peace in Syria which was held late last Saturday. Pope Francis had given the radical call to pray for peace to reign in the war-torn country – a plea that was heeded by thousands of Christians and non-Christians across the globe.

According to Vatican authorities, there were about 100,000 in attendance to take part of the said event; that number makes it one of the biggest mass meetings held in the West to oppose US plans to strike out against the Syrian government after the Damascus chemical weapons attack last August 21.

Cry for Peace

Throughout the duration of the peace vigil for Syria, the pope spent most of the time praying silently. However, when the time for his speech came, he let out a passionate cry for peace while adjudicated those people who he said are gripped with the power to rule over and destroy the creation of God by means of war.

“This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!” he stated. “May the noise of weapons cease! War always marks the failure of peace; it is always a defeat for humanity.”

Alarmed

The Holy See was alarmed upon knowledge of US plans to attack Syria and immediately announced the call for a day of fasting and peace last September 1. The Vatican also boosted its message for peace and summoned ambassadors from different countries in a meeting with the Holy See foreign minister. Additionally, Pope Francis made a direct appeal to the world powers during the G20 Summit, which was held in Russia, requesting world leaders to abandon harsh actions that will agitate the situation more and instead, opt for more peaceful means.

All around the World

Even citizens of the country under fire – Syria – followed Pope Francis’ call to participate in the peace vigil. A number of Christians gathered in the Al-Zaytoun Church in Damascus for a prayer service and fasting; their way of speaking their resistance against military interference in the ongoing struggle within the nation as well as to call for conciliation and unity.

Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of Antioch and the East was the one who headed the said service. He pointed out during the event that the countries which wanted political solutions for the Syrian skirmish outnumbered those which wanted to take on military action indicating that peace is winning even at the start.

On the other side of the world, roughly 150 protesters held a demonstration in front of the White House then proceeded to march to Capitol Hill venting their contention for the planned US military action against Syria. There were also other anti-war demonstrations held in other US cities; one was done in the New York Times’ Square and another in Boston mirrored the large attendance of the Vatican rally.