Vatican City, Jul 13, 2014 / 07:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Following his reflections on the Sunday’s Gospel parable of the sower and the seed, Pope Francis called for peace in the Holy Land, asking participants to join him in a moment of silent prayer.

“I extend a heartfelt appeal to all of you to continue to pray earnestly for peace in the Holy Land, in light of the tragic events of recent days,” the Roman Pontiff stated after his July 13 weekly Angelus address.