“While we pray for all the victims of that terrible tragedy, let us say forcefully: invest in peace, not in war,” Pope Francis said during his Armistice Day address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
The Pontiff called for an end to conflicts around the globe, stating, “It seems that we do not learn” from the memory of WWI and have yet to, “reject a culture of war.”
Around 17 million combatants and civilians were killed during the 1914-1918 War with November 11, 2018 being the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice between Germany and the Allies.
Francis observed that the war's lessons have been ignored, "it seems we never learn."
The Pope, who often criticises the arms industry, said, "Let's invest in peace, not war," calling the 1914-18 war, "a severe admonition for everyone to reject the culture of war and search for every legitimate means to end the conflicts still bloodying several regions of the world."
Francis also quoted the definition of war as "useless slaughter" from Benedict XV, who was pope during World War I.
In the UK, the Queen led the act of remembrance on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, watching from a balcony in central London as Prince Charles laid a wreath on her behalf at the foot of the Cenotaph.
The solemn act marked by two minutes of silence was repeated in thousands of towns, cities and villages throughout Britain.
Princes William and Harry laid wreaths at the Cenotaph, as did other senior members of the royal family. A wreath also was placed on behalf of Prince Philip, who did not attend.
For the first time ever, a senior German government representative took part in the Armistice Day ceremony in London.
German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, laid a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph, just after Prince Charles placed the Queen’s there.
Steinmeier saluted the Cenotaph in a show of respect for Britain's fallen soldiers.
British officials say the presence of the German president on Sunday symbolised the friendship between the nations which have been adversaries in both world wars.
In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron warned against the dangers of nationalism, in a speech aimed at rising populism in the US and in Europe.
With U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders looking on during an Armistice Day observance in Paris, Macron said the "ancient demons" that caused World War I, "are growing stronger."
The French leader said, "Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. In saying, 'Our interests first, whatever happens to the others,' you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important: its moral values."
The head of the United Nations warned that the world today has several of the ingredients that led to the failure of the peace that followed World War I.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted trade conflicts, increasingly polarised politics, and the failure to solve the inequalities exposed by the 2008 world financial crisis.
Gutteres expressed particular concern about the "crisis of confidence" in the European Union, calling the bloc forged from the ashes of World War II a project "too meaningful to fail."
He acknowledged problems at the U.N. but stressed its importance in helping avert a world war for the past 73 years.
Comments
Again, could you please enlighten us with information on how you came to the conclusion that there were no Portugese people present in the assembled crowd.
Ken,
When you say, many turned up, how can you be sure that there were no Portugese people present.