During his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis repeated his appeals to help the suffering nation of Syria and has called for an immediate ceasefire.
According to Vatican Radio, at the conclusion of the audience, Francis said, “I wish to stress and confirm my closeness to all the victims of the inhuman conflict in Syria.”
“It is with a sense of urgency,” he continued, “that I renew my appeal, imploring those responsible with all my strength, to provide an immediate cease-fire, which is imposed and respected at least for the necessary time to make possible the evacuation of civilians, especially children, who are trapped again under bloody bombardments.”
In the past day, Russia has resumed its airstrikes on the Syrian city of Aleppo. More than 25 people have reportedly died in the bombardments, including children. The strikes followed the Syrian government’s temporary lull, partially to make it possible for civilians to leave rebel-held areas in the city’s eastern section.
Pope Francis, during several of his General Audiences and Angelus addresses, has expressed, that through prayer and spiritual closeness, he feels united in suffering with these people.
