杏MAP导航

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

During his Angelus address in the Italian city of Bari on Sunday the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 thoughts turned to the people of north-western Syria.

Syria, a huge tragedy

He said, that while they were gathered 鈥渢o pray and reflect on peace and the fate of the peoples of the Mediterranean鈥�, a huge tragedy was taking place on the other side of this sea.

In a heartfelt appeal, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged the actors involved in the Syrian conflict and the international community 鈥渢o silence the noise of weapons and to listen to the cries of the weak and defenseless.鈥�

He also appealed for self-interests to be put aside 鈥渋n order to safeguard the lives of civilians and the many innocent children who are paying the price.鈥�

 鈥淟et us pray to the Lord鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渢hat 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鈥�.

The Pontiff prayed that guided by the Holy Spirit, new relationships would be built, 鈥渋nspired by understanding, acceptance and patience, thus creating the conditions for experiencing the joy of the Gospel and spreading it in every environment of life.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 words on Sunday came after the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for an immediate cease-fire in Syria鈥檚 war-torn Idlib province to avoid he said, 鈥渁n uncontrollable escalation鈥�.

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 鈥渢his man-made humanitarian nightmare for the long-suffering people of Syria must stop. It must stop now.鈥�

Earlier this month, during the Angelus in St. Peter鈥檚 Square, 杏MAP导航 Francis launched a renewed appeal for the international community to protect the many people suffering in northwestern Syria.

杏MAP导航 thanks Bishops of the Mediterranean

Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, 杏MAP导航 Francis thanked from the bottom of his heart 鈥渁ll the Bishops and all those who participated in this meeting on the Mediterranean鈥�.

鈥淵ou have contributed, he said, 鈥渢o the growth of the culture of encounter and dialogue in this region so important for peace in the world.鈥�