Archbishop calls for special prayers after Sunday mass

Bengaluru: Archbishop of Bengaluru, Most Rev. Fr Peter Machado, has called for special prayers after Sunday Mass across churches to celebrate Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becoming the new Pope and to pray for peace between India and Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Saturday, he observed a moment of profound joy and renewed hope for the Universal Church.

“At the same time, we are also deeply saddened and disturbed by the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, which has shaken the nation, claimed precious lives, and left many injured. While we strongly express our solidarity with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, as a community of faith, we pray for the souls of the victims killed in these attacks,” he wrote.

He appreciated the efforts of the Indian armed forces and their Operation Sindoor to safeguard the borders.

“Their courage deserves our continued prayers and support,” he said.

He requested all priests to hold a special prayer after mass on Sunday, or to gather the congregation in the church campus before or after Mass to pray for these intentions.