During his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis mourned the tragic murder of Father Marcelo Pérez, a priest in Chiapas, Mexico, who was recently killed amid escalating violence in the region. Referring to Pérez as a “zealous servant of the Gospel and God’s faithful people,”  Pope extended condolences to the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas and the local community.

Pérez, remembered as a "tireless apostle of peace," was shot and killed after Mass on October 20. Known for his relentless defense of vulnerable communities, Pérez had faced numerous threats over his advocacy for human rights, prompting the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to grant him protective measures in 2015. The Catholic Multimedia Center notes that his death adds to a troubling trend, with 36 Catholic priests having been murdered in Mexico since 2013. Pope Francis expressed hope that Pérez's “sacrifice” would “be a seed of peace and Christian life” for his community.

From the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis also renewed his appeal for peace worldwide, especially in war-torn areas like Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon. “The first victims are among the civilian population,” he lamented, highlighting the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives, including children, and urging respect for human life.

 Pope pointed to the upcoming international conference hosted by the Red Cross in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, emphasizing the need to reinforce respect for human dignity amid conflict. He called for renewed adherence to international humanitarian law, underscoring the devastation in civilian areas, including schools and hospitals.

 Pope also reflected on the Church's role in promoting interfaith dialogue, noting the 50th anniversary of the Commission for Religious Relations with Judaism, established by St. Paul VI. He expressed hope for deepening Catholic-Jewish relations, particularly as the 60th anniversary of  Nostra Aetate approaches next year.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the Philippines, where recent Tropical Storm Trami has left over 80 people dead, as reported by the Associated Press. “I am close to the people of the Philippines affected by a very strong cyclone. May the Lord sustain that people so full of faith,” he said.

In his Gospel reflection, Pope highlighted the significance of charity, describing the act of assisting the poor as a direct encounter with Jesus.

Following the Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for the success of the Synod on Synodality, which concluded its second assembly earlier in the day with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. With the theme "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission," the month-long assembly marked a milestone in the Church’s synodal journey.

The assembly’s final document, a 52-page report, offers recommendations for Church renewal, including expanded roles for women, increased lay participation in decision-making, and substantial structural reforms. “Let us pray that everything we have acted on this month will go forward for the good of the Church,” Pope Francis said, underscoring his commitment to advancing synodality within the global Church.