Pope Leo XIV has offered a message of hope to believers as the world faces growing violence and tension.

The pontiff, in a video message released on Sunday, June 7, for the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, said: “In a world marked by tensions and violence, we need to remember that God’s mercy is limitless and has the power to change our hearts,

“Amid the vortex of violence that poisons relationships and destroys lives, the mercy of God asks to be allowed into our hearts with its amazing power of renewal,” the Pope emphasized.

“It is this mercy that is capable of turning our lives around, opening the way to love and forgiveness as distinctive features of the face of God manifested through us.”

The 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy is taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, from June 7 to 12. This event takes place every three years in a different country and centers on proclaiming and promoting God’s Divine Mercy through testimonials, lectures, cultural events, liturgies and more.

In his video message the Pope greeted His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is attending the event, as well as the Archbishop of Vilnius, Gintaras Grušas, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and all those participating. He also recalled how this initiative “was so strongly desired” by St. John Paul II.

God never tires of showing his mercy

In his video message, the Pope underlined how in “today’s world, with its many fears and anxieties, tensions and wars” there is “an increasingly urgent need for peace in the hearts of both individuals and peoples.”

“God never tires of showing His mercy,” the Pope insisted, adding that His love “endures forever, and how much our world is crying out for mercy at every level!”

Quoting St. Augustine who said that his only hope was in “God’s exceeding great mercy,” the Pope highlighted that, indeed, it is a source of joy and hope “when we experience how merciful God is towards each one of us.”

However, he explained that the peace “we so deeply desire cannot be attained without mercy.”

“Let us therefore join our trust in the infinite mercy of God with our own personal commitment to build a more welcoming and merciful society, beginning with our families,” he urged.

He concluded by encouraging those present to then bring back to their communities all they gathered from this international meeting and by imparting his Apostolic Blessing.

Family members, friends and members of the Kenyan community in the United States gathered in an emotional ceremony to bid a final farewell to Kenyan nurse Jessica Omoke, who was laid to rest in Minnesota following her tragic death.

Jessica, a devoted wife to James Omoke and mother of three, was buried at Gethsemane Cemetery in New Hope, Minnesota, weeks after she was reported missing and later found dead under circumstances that shocked her family and community.

The burial ceremony was marked by tears, prayers and heartfelt tributes as mourners celebrated the life of a woman widely remembered for her compassion, dedication to nursing and unwavering commitment to her family.

Photos and videos from the funeral captured emotional scenes as loved ones paid their last respects. Family members embraced one another while friends and community members offered prayers and words of comfort during the solemn occasion.

Jessica’s death has deeply affected both the healthcare community and the Kenyan diaspora in the United States, where she was known as a hardworking professional who consistently put the needs of others before her own.

Speakers at the funeral reflected on her legacy as a caring mother who took pride in her children’s achievements and worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Many described her as dependable, kind-hearted and selfless, qualities that endeared her to colleagues, friends and relatives alike.

Mourners also expressed hope that Jessica’s children would draw strength from the values, resilience and love she instilled in them throughout her life.

As she was laid to rest, tributes continued to pour in from friends, colleagues and community members who pledged to honor her memory through acts of kindness and service.

Although her life was cut short, those gathered at Gethsemane Cemetery said her impact would continue to be felt through the countless lives she touched as a nurse, wife, mother and friend.

The tragedy has been particularly painful for her family because it unfolded during what should have been a celebratory period. Jessica’s twin daughters, Rachel and Silvia, had recently graduated from nursing school when news emerged that their mother’s body had been discovered after she had been missing for two days.

Family members now face the difficult task of moving forward while holding on to cherished memories of a woman they describe as loving, hardworking and deeply devoted to those around her.

Jessica’s passing has left a profound void in the lives of her loved ones, but mourners said her legacy of compassion, service and family devotion will endure for years to come.

No fewer than 46 people have been killed by explosion that left dozens injured in Kaung Tat village, Namkham Township, in Myanmar’s Shan State near the Chinese border.

Rescue workers said six children, including a one-year-old toddler, were among those killed in the blast, which occurred in an area controlled by insurgent forces.

The explosion also caused widespread destruction, damaging approximately 200 houses in Kaung Tat and another 100 homes in the nearby village of Pan Lone.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the armed group that controls the area, said the incident was caused by the accidental detonation of explosives used for mining and quarrying operations.

While local rescue teams confirmed 46 deaths, an earlier source familiar with the situation suggested the death toll could eventually rise to 55.

According to the TNLA, the explosion occurred around midday on Sunday and resulted in significant casualties and property damage across the community.

Photos and videos from the scene showed a huge crater at the centre of the blast site, surrounded by collapsed buildings, scattered debris and burnt vegetation, with smoke lingering over parts of the village.

Residents described scenes of panic and devastation in the aftermath of the explosion.

One survivor said many people initially feared the area had come under an airstrike because of the force of the blast.

The resident, who sustained a minor leg injury and lost a home in the disaster, said children were among the victims and that an entire section of the community was badly affected.

“By sheer luck, my phone saved my life,” the resident wrote on social media.

The survivor explained that they had been sitting indoors using a mobile phone while eating when the explosion occurred and believed they might not have survived if they had been elsewhere in the house.

Describing the aftermath, the resident said people desperately searched for missing relatives while cries for loved ones echoed throughout the community.

“People were crying, calling out for their parents. It felt as if the world had come to an end,” the resident said.

The survivor also questioned why explosive materials were being stored or handled so close to residential areas and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The TNLA is one of the most powerful ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar’s military government.

According to AFP, several rebel groups operating in Myanmar depend on mining activities as a source of funding, while poor safety standards in some mining operations have contributed to deadly accidents over the years.