To the Editor:
In the opinion piece “A tale of two leaders” that was printed in the Daily Journal on Oct. 27, David Carlson wrote: “Pope Francis has already disappointed the Israelis and many in the United States. On the day after Hamas invasion and slaughter of Israelis, Pope Francis prayed publicly for all those suffering …” Carlson later says “Pope Francis stands in sharp contrast to President Biden who traveled to Israel to show our nation’s support for Israel.”
Carlson says it is hard to quantify the support of any leader but if Francis is 50-50% in his comments about Israel and Palestine, Biden is more than 90-10% Israel/Palestine.
To me, a spiritual leader is not one to pray for one and condemn the other, a spiritual leader is to pray for all brothers and sisters and pray for peace. The role of a politician is different.
The following quotes show the ways Pope Francis’ prayer is for all those suffering and for peace. He condemns war.
“Francis has asked the world to set aside Friday, October 27, 2023, as a day of Prayer and Fasting for peace in the Middle East.”
“On October 24, 2023, Pope Francis sent ‘letters of peace’ to Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus echoing calls for peace.”
To me, Pope Francis is not choosing Israel over anyone else; he is asking us to pray for good — and God — to overcome evil.
As a Christian, I am called to pray for all those suffering.
James 5:13 says “Are any among you suffering? They should pray.”
As a Christian, I am called to pray for our enemies.
Mark 9:29 says “He (Jesus) replied ‘This kind of evil can come out only by prayer.” The traditional interpretation of Jesus’ explanation of this verse indicates this particular “kind” of demon being so powerful that the disciples would not be able to drive out this evil: “only prayer to God would help.”
I am also called to pray for peace.
John 16:33 says “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Eileen Paige
Franklin
