Pope urges Syrian leadership to respect people's "legitimate" hopes
(January 13, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI called on the Syrian leadership on Sunday to
respond urgently to the ``legitimate'' demands of its people who have been facing
an increasingly bloody crackdown by President Bashar Assad's regime. After reciting
his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ with a large crowd in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, the
Pope called for all sides, but especially Syria's political leaders, to enter into
talks to end the uprising. Speaking from his studio window overlooking the vast square,
Pope Benedict said he was increasingly concerned about the ``dramatic and increasing
episodes of violence'' in Syria which has caused numerous victims, including children,
the wounded and those who suffer as a result of a conflict that is growing more alarming.
“I renew a heartfelt appeal to put an end to the violence and bloodshed,” the Pope
said. He invited all, particularly Syria’s political authorities to take up the path
of dialogue, reconciliation and commitment to peace. “It is urgent to respond to
the legitimate hopes of the various sections of the nation, as well as the hopes of
the international community,” the Pope said. More than 5,400 people are believed to
have been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March. Prior to the ‘Angelus’
prayer, Pope Benedict reflected on Sunday’s Gospel reading on Jesus healing a leper
who begs for cure. Defying the legal ban to touch lepers, Christ stretches out his
hand and touches him saying “Yes, I will. Be made clean! The Pope said in that gesture
and the words of Christ is the whole history of salvation, there is embodied the will
of God to heal, to cleanse us from evil that disfigures and destroys our relationship
with Him. Without however denying evil and its forces, Jesus’ gesture shows that the
love of God is stronger than any evil. Jesus took upon himself our infirmities; he
became 'leper' that we may be purified, the Pope said. The Holy Father referred to
the experience of St. Francis of Assisi with lepers when he was in sin. When Francis
approached one of them, and, overcoming his revulsion, embraced him, Jesus healed
him of his leprosy, that is, his pride, and converted him to the love of God, the
victory of Christ. “This,” the Pope said, “is the victory of Christ that is our deep
healing and our resurrection to new life.” He concluded urging all to pray to the
Virgin of Lourdes, whose feast was celebrated on Saturday, “to allow ourselves to
be touched and purified by Him and that we show mercy to our brothers and sisters.”