Pope Francis urges Syrian rebels to promote national unity

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.

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