Pope Francis prays for peace at the graves of Allied soldiers from the Second World War

ROME – Pope Francis marked the Catholic feast of All Souls Day by celebrating Mass at a Roman war cemetery, calling for an end to war and the loss of innocent lives claimed in violent conflicts.

Speaking at the Rome War Cemetery for his Nov. 2 All Souls Day Mass, Francis also stressed the importance of keeping both memory and hope alive.

Some 426 fallen soldiers are buried at the cemetery, hailing from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, the Mauritius Islands, Palestine and the West Indies, representing members of the British Commonwealth.