Pope Francis strongly urges military leaders in Myanmar to release political prisoners and return to Democracy in his annual “state of the world” address. The Pope spoke of his affection and closeness to the people of Myanmar, after his 2017 visit. Although the Pope did not address his silence on the genocide of Rohingya Muslims by the same military forces involved in the Coup, he did ask for forgiveness from Royingya people rebuilding lives after the brutal attacks.

“In the name of everyone, of those who have persecuted you, of those who have done you harm, above all for the indifference of the world, I ask forgiveness. Forgiveness,” the pope said in…