After a 129-year-old Catholic Church fell as part of collateral damage as a result of the overthrow of Myanmar’s government, Pope Francis is calling for prayers for an end to the conflict.

“My thought turns to Myanmar, where the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in the Village of Can Thar was burned and destroyed,” Pope Francis said in a Jan. 22 tweet. “Let us pray together that this conflict will soon come to an end, opening a new period of forgiveness, love and peace.” 

Myanmar, located in Southeast Asia, is now being led by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and his military junta that toppled the democratically elected government in a power grab, according to BBC News. 

Hlaing and his soldiers are said to be repressing human rights and assaulting racial and ethnic minorities, especially anti-coup demonstrators and ethnic rebel groups, including those in Christian-majority areas like the Kachin, Kayah, Karen and Chin states, according to Union of Catholic Asian News.

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption was destroyed Jan. 15, the fourth attack in the last eight months. More than 500 villagers' homes were also set on fire and destroyed that day. 

A Marian grotto and the adoration chapel survived, but the convent for the sisters and the parish priest's home were destroyed, according to Union of Catholic Asian News. The church was dedicated on Feb. 18, 1894. 

The Catholic Church has 16 dioceses in Myanmar. Loikaw, Pekhon, Hakha, Kalay and Mandalay are five of those that have been affected by the strife. Pope Francis has urged peace and healing in Myanmar, and he has condemned the recent destruction of the Catholic church.