Amid the ongoing unrest in France, the country's bishops, alongside other religious leaders, have united in a plea for peace, dialogue, and the restoration of tranquility. Catholic Church officials have also issued a prayer for peace on July 1.

The riots were triggered by the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old of North African descent named Nahel M. during a traffic stop in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. These incidents have resulted in several days of looting, attacks on public buildings, and destructive mob violence in multiple cities.

In response, approximately 45,000 police officers have been deployed throughout the country in the past three nights. The number of arrests decreased from over 700 on the previous night to more than 150 on Sunday night. The full extent of the damage and the number of injuries are still being assessed.

Religious leaders in France have come together to express their condolences for the loss of life and condemn the ongoing violence. In a joint statement, they emphasize the importance of pursuing peaceful solutions and denounce the attacks on schools, businesses, government buildings, and transportation, highlighting the detrimental impact on the residents, families, and children of affected neighborhoods.

The statement was signed by Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops' Conference, along with leaders representing various religious organizations in France, including the Grand Mosque of Paris, the Chief Rabbi of France, the French Islamic Council, the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France, the Protestant Federation of France, and the Buddhist Union of France.

The signatories call for the cultivation of trust between different sections of society and law enforcement agencies, particularly in the face of attacks on police and authorities.

They urge politicians to collaborate responsibly in restoring justice and peace. The statement concludes by emphasizing the role of believers as servants of peace and advocates for the common good, expressing their willingness to contribute to these efforts.

Additionally, the French bishops have proposed a prayer for peace, which has been made available to parishes and Catholic communities across the country, as a means to seek the restoration of tranquility.

The prayer reads in full in English translation:

We ask you, Lord, for the return of tranquility and peace to our country.

We entrust Nahuel to you and pray for his loved ones. May the spirit of light and peace accompany them.