Pope Francis celebrates mass on the occasion of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican on March 14, 2021. (AP/PTI Photo)
Vatican City, March 14 (AP): Pope Francis has renewed his heartfelt appeal to all sides in the Syria conflict to demonstrate signs of goodwill so that a glimmer of hope can be opened for the exhausted population.
The pope offered prayers for Syria during his traditional Sunday blessing in St. Peter's Square, noting that a decade has passed since the start of the bloody conflict.
It has caused one of the most serious humanitarian disasters of our times, with an unknown number of dead and wounded, millions of refugees, thousands missing, destruction and violence of every type, enormous suffering for the entire population, in particular the most vulnerable, including children, women and the elderly.
Francis also expressed hope for a decisive and renewed commitment in the international community, so that once arms are laid down, the social fabric can be mended to launch reconstruction and economic recovery.
