杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

鈥�Advent is a time for hope,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said at the Angelus on Sunday. 鈥淎t this time, I would like to make my own the hope of peace of the children of Syria." The Holy Father added his voice to an initiative of the international charitable foundation (ACN), by lighting a candle to officially kick off their 鈥淐andles for Peace in Syria鈥� Campaign.

Flames of hope

鈥淢ay these flames of hope dispel the darkness of war,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 exclaimed. 鈥淟et us pray and help Christians to remain in Syria and the Middle East as witnesses of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis extended his appeal, saying 鈥淢ay the flame of hope also reach all those who are suffering in these days from conflicts and tensions in various other parts of the world, near and far.鈥� He prayed that 鈥渢he prayer of the Church鈥� might 鈥渉elp them feel the closeness of the faithful God鈥�; and might 鈥渢ouch every conscience for a sincere commitment for peace.鈥�

The Holy Father also prayed that God might "forgive those who make war, those who make weapons to destroy one another" and the the Lord "might convert their hearts." Concluding his prayer, the 杏MAP导航 led the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square in the recitation of the Hail Mary "for peace in beloved Syria."

Spreading the message of peace

In a press statement, Aid to the Church in Need said it is 鈥渃alling on people of goodwill all over the world to respond to this cry of peace from the children of Syria, among other things by lighting a candle 鈥� in order to spread this message of peace from the children of Syria and send a message of hope during the season of Advent.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 candle

ACN鈥檚 statement noted that the candle lighted by the 杏MAP导航 was decorated by craftsman from the Old City of Damascus, and 鈥渁lso bears the photos of some 40 children, most of them from Aleppo, together with the logo of the campaign.鈥�

For more information on ACN's work in Syria, and the "Candles for Peace in Syria" Campaign, please visit: