Pope Francis also repeated Sunday his regular request for prayers for Ukraine.
“Let us not cease to pray for the tormented Ukraine, where war destroys everything, even grain,” he said. “This is a grave offense against God, for grain is his gift to feed humanity; and the cry of millions of starving brothers and sisters rises to heaven.”
In response to leaders’ appeals to reinstate the grain deal, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said at an Africa summit he hosted July 27–28 in St. Petersburg that Russia could deliver grain for free to six African countries: Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Eritrea — all allies of Russia apart from Somalia.
Vatican authorities said an estimated 11,000 people were in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Angelus prayer and address July 30.
The pope’s reflection focused on Jesus’ parable of the merchant who finds “a pearl of great price,” as recounted in the day’s Gospel reading.
After praying in Latin the Angelus, a traditional prayer honoring Mary, Francis noted the upcoming third anniversary of the Aug. 4, 2020, explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon.