Addressing the faithful on the Feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis has turned his thoughts to the many families across the world who  are mourning and who are affected by conflict.

Speaking after the Angelus prayer,  Sunday, December 29, the Pope extended a special greeting to families present in St. Peter’s Square and who are connected through the media, and he said  his “thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident.”

At least 177 people died on Sunday morning as their plane crashed while landing at an airport in South Korea.

“I join in prayer for the survivors and for those who lost their lives,” the Pope said.

Appeal for prayers for families suffering from wars

And again, Pope Francis raised his voice asking for closeness and prayers for all people affected by conflict:

“Let us also pray for families suffering due to wars: in war-torn Ukraine, in Palestine, in Israel, in Myanmar, in Sudan, and in North Kivu. Let us pray for all these families affected by conflict,” he said.