Pope leads prayers for peaceful end to violence

POPE Francis has continued to pray for peace in Egypt as violence against Christians escalates in the country.
More than 50 churches have been looted and torched, more than 20 others have been attacked and damaged since August 14, when chaos erupted after Egypt’s military-backed interim administration moved in to clear two camps packed with protesters calling for ousted President Mohamed Morsi’s reinstatement, killing scores of protesters and sparking deadly clashes nationwide.
As he did on August 15, Pope Francis led thousands of people in praying for peace in Egypt when he recited the Angelus on August 18 with visitors in St Peter’s Square.
“We continue to pray for peace in Egypt,” he said.
 “Mary, queen of peace, pray for us.”
Christians have come under fire since President Morsi was ousted on July 3, sparking a wave of Islamist anger led by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.
Christians have long suffered from discrimination and violence in Muslim majority Egypt, where they make up 10 per cent of the population of 90 million.