“Our first thoughts and prayers are directed above all to what has happened in recent weeks,” the document, which the Pope gave to the audience because he was unable to read it due to a slight cold, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, told the media.

No weapons, no terrorism, no war”, the text says, where Francis states that “compassion, justice and dialogue are the appropriate means to build peace” and also refers to his concern for the proliferation of anti-Semitic demonstrations, “which I strongly condemn”.

“Certainly not in the face of the sudden wave of vengeance and the madness of hatred and war,” the Bishop of Rome added in his appeal to the European rabbis.

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