Pope Francis appeals for an end
to suffering in Syria
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| Conflict in Syria (AFP) |
Pope Francis during the Angelus in the southern Italian city
of Bari urges the actors involved in the Syrian conflict and the international
community “to silence the noise of weapons and to listen to the cries of the
weak and defenseless.”
By Lydia O’Kane
During his Angelus address in the Italian city of Bari on
Sunday the Pope’s thoughts turned to the people of north-western Syria.
Syria, a huge tragedy
He said, that while they were gathered “to pray and reflect
on peace and the fate of the peoples of the Mediterranean”, a huge tragedy was
taking place on the other side of this sea.
In a heartfelt appeal, Pope Francis urged the actors
involved in the Syrian conflict and the international community “to silence the
noise of weapons and to listen to the cries of the weak and defenseless.”
He also appealed for self-interests to be put aside “in
order to safeguard the lives of civilians and the many innocent children who
are paying the price.”
“Let us pray to the Lord”, the Pope said, “that he may
move hearts and that all may overcome the logic of conflict, hatred and revenge
in order to rediscover themselves as brothers and sisters of one Father, who
makes the sun rise over the good and the bad”.
The Pontiff prayed that guided by the Holy Spirit, new
relationships would be built, “inspired by understanding, acceptance and
patience, thus creating the conditions for experiencing the joy of the Gospel
and spreading it in every environment of life.”
The Pope’s words on Sunday came after the United Nations
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for an immediate cease-fire
in Syria’s war-torn Idlib province to avoid he said, “an uncontrollable
escalation”.
The human cost of conflict
The United Nations estimates that around 2.8 million people
in northwest Syria, require humanitarian assistance. The vast majority of which
are women and children.
For almost a year, Syrian ground offensives have targeted a
de-escalation zone in Idlib, and this month Turkish and Syrian forces have
clashed repeatedly.
Mr Guterres stressed that “this man-made humanitarian
nightmare for the long-suffering people of Syria must stop. It must stop now.”
Earlier this month, during the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square,
Pope Francis launched a renewed appeal for the international community to
protect the many people suffering in northwestern Syria.
Pope thanks Bishops of the Mediterranean
Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis
thanked from the bottom of his heart “all the Bishops and all those who
participated in this meeting on the Mediterranean”.
“You have contributed, he said, “to the growth of the
culture of encounter and dialogue in this region so important for peace in the
world.”
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