Pope asks world leaders to reject ‘futile’ military action in Syria

Last updated on: September 5, 2013 at 8:49 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope asks world leaders to reject ‘futile’ military action in Syria 2013-09-05T20:49:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

St. Petersburg, Sep 5, 2013 / 02:49 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- As world leaders meet in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the G20 summit, Pope Francis has sent a message urging against military involvement in Syria.

“To the leaders present, to each and every one, I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution,” said Pope Francis in a Sept. 4 letter to the group’s leader, Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“It is clear that, for the world’s peoples, armed conflicts are always a deliberate negation of international harmony and create profound divisions and deep wounds which require many years to heal,” he told the leaders of the world’s twenty largest economies.

The Pope told the Russian president that although the meeting does not have international security as its main focus, it will “surely not forget the situation in the Middle East and particularly in Syria.”

“It is regrettable that, from the very beginning of the conflict in Syria, one-sided interests have prevailed and in fact hindered the search for a solution that would have avoided the senseless massacre now unfolding,” said Pope Francis.

The Pontiff told Putin he would also pray “for the successful outcome of the G20’s work on this occasion” adding that he hoped the letter “may be a valid spiritual contribution” to the meeting.

The G20 is an economic meeting held regularly between the heads of state and governments of the twenty most powerful economies. It is usually taken as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties between nations.

Putin has reportedly told leaders that the injurious Syrian conflict and potential military response, which are not on the official agenda, “will be discussed over dinner.”

“Wars are a concrete refusal to pursue the great economic and social goals that the international community has set itself, as seen, for example in the Millennium Development Goals,” said the Pope.

“Unfortunately, the many armed conflicts which continue to afflict the world today present us daily with dramatic images of misery, hunger, illness and death,” he added.

Pope Francis told Putin and the assembled world leaders that “without peace, there can be no form of economic development.”

“Violence never begets peace, the necessary condition for development,” he stated.

In his letter, the Pope reminded them that “all governments have the moral duty to do everything possible to ensure humanitarian assistance to those suffering because of the conflict, both within and beyond the country’s borders.”

“The leaders of the G20 cannot remain indifferent to the dramatic situation of the beloved Syrian people which has lasted far too long, and even risks bringing greater suffering to a region bitterly tested by strife and needful of peace,” he said.

Europe

Previous Post

September 5, 2013

Catholic college 'delighted' to receive top ratings in Australia

Next Post

September 5, 2013 Argentine bishop: weak faith life has caused marriage crisis

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Gospel was written by a doctor?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Matthew John Mark Luke