Pope Francis receives death threat; Manila archbishop calls for prayer for pontiff’s safety

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis leads Angelus prayer from his window overlooking St.Peter’s Square at the Vatican, August 8, 2021. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula has asked the faithful to pray for Pope Francis’ safety following a death threat sent to the Pope.

“Let us pray that God may touch the hearts of people who sow fear, violence, lies, and violate human rights,” Advincula said over Radio Veritas on Wednesday.

“While investigation is ongoing on the origin and the motive of the envelope with three bullets for Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for his safety,” the archbishop added.

Reports from Rome claimed that an envelope addressed to the Pope containing three pistol bullets has been seized in a mail sorting facility close to the northern Italian city of Milan, police said on Monday.

Postal workers called the police after intercepting the envelope overnight in the small town of Peschiera Borromeo.

Police told Reuters the envelope, sent from France, was addressed to “The Pope, Vatican City, St Peter’s Square.”

A Vatican spokesperson had no immediate comment.

The pontiff recently spent ten days in hospital for colon surgery.

EDV