PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin is asking Rhode Island's Catholic parishes to join in a Global Prayer Vigil for Peace this weekend in response to a request from Pope Francis.
He said he welcomes Francis' request for "special prayers and sacrifices for peace, especially in light of the crisis in Syria."
"As our Holy Father says, 'Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace.' "
On Sunday, Pope Francis said his heart was "deeply wounded in particular by what his happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming." He called for a worldwide vigil by the church on Saturday, saying it should be a "day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the Middle East, and throughout the whole world."