Roman Catholics around the world joined Pope Francis on Sunday in the first worldwide “Holy Hour,” praying for those suffering from war, slave labor, human trafficking and the economic crisis, Reuters reported. The Vatican asked Catholics to gather at the same time in cathedrals, neighborhood parishes and monasteries and pray for two intentions penned by the pope in what is known as a Eucharistic adoration — praying before a consecrated communion host. A Vatican official said it was "the first time in the history of the Church" that such an event was taking place, Reuters reported. The Vatican said it was impossible to estimate immediately how many people participated.
