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The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has urged Ghanaians to keep the peace in the run-up to December general election and thereafter. He pledged to keep Ghana in his prayers to ensure that the country had peaceful and successful elections for everyone to continue to live in peace and enjoy the fruits of his or her labor. Pope Benedict gave the pledge when he granted audience to the Supreme Knight of the knights of Marshall, Sir Knight Victor Derx Baffour, and Most Respected Lady (MRL) Margaret Essilfie who had led a group of Ghanaians pilgrims to the Vatican. The pilgrimage, which was organized by the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, took 45 pilgrims to various Holy sites in Israel, Italy, France and Portugal as part of efforts to strengthen the faith and spirituality of members of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall. The pilgrimage begun with visits to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Cana, mount Camel, Mount of Beatitudes, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, a visit to River Jordan, a trip to the Mount of Temptation in a cable car, and the Basilica of Nativity in the Manger Square where Christ was born. That was to be followed by visits to the Mount of Ascension, the Garden of Gathsemane, walking along the 14 Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) and praying at the Wailing Wall. At the Vatican, which is the cradle of the Catholic faith, the pilgrims visited the St Peter's Square in Rome for a Papal Audience, the Tombs of Popes, the Vatican Museum, an open bus ride to the Vatican Gardens, the Catacombs, St. Paul's Basilica, St Padre Pio's Shrine and a Mass with the Ghanaian Catholic community in Rome. The pilgrimage was rounded off with a fulfilling and satisfying spiritual experience at the Marian Grottos in Lourdes and Fatima. A statement issued by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Marshall said Pope Benedict, who was presented with a miniature Ghana flag, stressed the need for Ghanaians to preserve the peace, unity and stability of the nation. It said the Pope indicated that the miniature flag would always remind him to pray for Ghana.