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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pope voices 'solidarity with people of Myanmar'

Pope voices 'solidarity with people of Myanmar'

Published Feb 7, 2021 09:26 pm

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed "solidarity with the people of Myanmar" following last week's military coup, urging the army to work towards "democratic coexistence" as thousands demonstrate in the streets.

Pope Francis speaks from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's Squsre during the weekly Angelus prayer on February 7, 2021 in the Vatican, during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The pope was speaking as tens of thousands of protesters poured on to the streets of Yangon in the biggest rally yet against Monday's military coup.

"I pray that those in power in the country will work… towards the common good," he said from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square after his recital of the Angelus prayer Sunday.

The pope, who visited Myanmar in 2017, called for "social justice, national stability and harmonious democratic coexistence".

There have been reports of large protests Sunday against the military regime in several cities across Myanmar.

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