(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, OCTOBER 18 - "I would like to address a word of encouragement and support to the fishermen stopped for more than a month in Libya and to their families. By entrusting themselves to MariaStella del mare, may they keep alive the hope of being able to embrace their loved ones soon" .
The Pope said this at the Angelus referring to the story of the Italian fishermen from Mazara del Vallo, stopped in Libya.
"We pray silently for the fishermen and for Libya," he added.
Then he recalled the recent release of the missionary in Africa: "I wish to thank God for the long-awaited release of Father Pier Luigi Maccalli" who "was kidnapped two years ago in Niger. We are also happy because three other hostages have been freed with him". "We pray for the missionaries and for the catechists and also for those who are persecuted or kidnapped in various parts of the world", Pope Francis added. (HANDLE).
