Pope Francis has called on Syrian rebels to work towards national unity and stability, urging them to find political solutions that promote peace without further conflicts or divisions.
Pope Francis has urged the Syrian rebels who overthrew President Bashar al-Assad to work towards stabilising the country and to govern in a way that promotes national unity.
"I hope they find political solutions that, without other conflicts or divisions, responsibly promote the stability and unity of the country, " the pontiff said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
This marked the pope’s first public comment on Syria since the end of al-Assad’s rule. He also called on the country’s diverse religious groups to live in friendship and mutual respect for the good of the nation.
As leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church, Francis often speaks on global conflicts, emphasising the importance of de-escalation.
He has condemned the casualties in the Syrian conflict on various occasions over the years. In 2016, Francis made the Vatican's ambassador to the country a cardinal, a unique and high-profile gesture in the Church.
Muslims make up about 90% of Syria’s population. Christians have a historic presence in the country but are a small minority. The Vatican estimates there are around 300,000 Catholics among a population of some 25 million.
The Vatican reports Pope Francis is stable and improving while being treated for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The 88-year-old Pontiff remains under medical care as Catholics worldwide pray for his recovery.
Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia, further complicating his treatment for a respiratory infection, the Vatican said on Tuesday. All public events through Sunday have been cancelled, as the 88-year-old pontiff remains in hospital for ongoing care.
Vatican City, Feb 17 — Pope Francis spent a fourth consecutive day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Monday, as he continues treatment for a respiratory tract infection, the Vatican confirmed. Officials stated that the 88-year-old pontiff remains in stable condition.
Pope Francis is recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital after being admitted with a respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pontiff is in stable condition but remains under observation, prompting concerns among the faithful.
Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized for tests and continued bronchitis treatment, the Vatican confirmed. Despite recent health issues, including falls, he has maintained his schedule.
Desperate residents in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are facing severe cash shortages as banks remain shut following the M23 rebel group’s seizure of the city. With no access to their funds, many are struggling to afford food, electricity, and basic necessities.
Burundi is struggling to cope with a rapid influx of over 40,000 refugees fleeing intensified fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UN has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis as thousands arrive daily, many in urgent need of aid.
The city of Buriticupu, in Brazil’s northeastern Amazon, is facing a worsening crisis as massive sinkholes continue to expand, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency. More than 1,200 residents are at risk of losing their homes.
Hamas has handed over the bodies of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, deepening national mourning in Israel. Their fate had remained uncertain for months after their abduction during the October 7, 2023 attack.
Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering health insurance executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street in December, appeared in a New York court on Friday. He faces state murder and terrorism charges, as well as a federal case where he could face the death penalty.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
Desperate residents in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are facing severe cash shortages as banks remain shut following the M23 rebel group’s seizure of the city. With no access to their funds, many are struggling to afford food, electricity, and basic necessities.
Burundi is struggling to cope with a rapid influx of over 40,000 refugees fleeing intensified fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UN has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis as thousands arrive daily, many in urgent need of aid.
German police have arrested a suspect in connection with a stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial on Friday evening. The attack, which left one man seriously injured, comes just days before a pivotal national election.
France has handed over control of a military base in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan, while retaining 80 military personnel for training. The move is part of a broader reduction of French forces in West and Central Africa.
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
Desperate residents in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are facing severe cash shortages as banks remain shut following the M23 rebel group’s seizure of the city. With no access to their funds, many are struggling to afford food, electricity, and basic necessities.
Burundi is struggling to cope with a rapid influx of over 40,000 refugees fleeing intensified fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UN has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis as thousands arrive daily, many in urgent need of aid.
The city of Buriticupu, in Brazil’s northeastern Amazon, is facing a worsening crisis as massive sinkholes continue to expand, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency. More than 1,200 residents are at risk of losing their homes.
Hamas has handed over the bodies of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, deepening national mourning in Israel. Their fate had remained uncertain for months after their abduction during the October 7, 2023 attack.
Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering health insurance executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street in December, appeared in a New York court on Friday. He faces state murder and terrorism charges, as well as a federal case where he could face the death penalty.
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