Pope Francis today expressed "solidarity with the people of Myanmar", calling for the same direction towards "social justice, national stability".

"I pray that those who hold power of the country will work towards the common good," the pope said from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Pope Francis, who came to Myanmar in 2017, also called on everyone to work towards "social justice, national stability and harmonious democratic coexistence".

The pope's comments came as thousands of Burmese people were taking to the streets to protest against the military coup on February 1, when State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and

The military accused of cheating in the November 2020 elections that the NLD won overwhelmingly, declared a state of emergency to run the country for a year, and pledged to transfer power.

The first street protest in Myanmar took place in Mandalay, the country's second largest city, on February 4.