Pope’s appeal for Syria, Iraq

(July 30, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday once more appealed for an end to `'all violence and bloodshed” in Syria. Speaking after his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer and blessing at the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, southeast of Rome, the Pope called for all parties, including the international community, to spare no effort in seeking peace and a political settlement to the conflict. Addressing pilgrims and visitors in the courtyard of his summer residence, where he is about to end his annual vacation, the Holy Father said he continues to follow “tragic and growing episodes of violence in Syria with their sad trail of deaths and injuries, including civilians, and large number of people displaced internally and refugees in neighbouring countries.” The 85-year old German Pope has spoken out many times on the Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011 as a popular uprising but has since turned into a civil war, with the focus now on Aleppo. Human rights observers estimate more than 19,000 people have died as the Syrian regime has cracked down on protesters and armed rebels.
Pope Benedict also remembered Iraq, which he said “has been hit by numerous, serious attacks causing many deaths and injuries.” He hoped the nation will be able to “find once again the path toward stability, reconciliation and peace.” He also expressed concern for the situation of the ILVA steel mill in Taranto (Italy), which was closed by court order because of pollution problems going back decades, a decision opposed by workers who would lose their jobs and the tens of thousands of families that would lose their main source of income. “I would like to express my closeness to the workers and their families, who are going through this difficult time with apprehension,” the pope said. “Whilst I ensure you my prayers and the Church's support, I call on everyone to show a sense of responsibility.” “I encourage national and local governments to make every effort to find a fair solution to the issue, one that would uphold people's right to health, as well as the right to work, especially at such a time of economic crisis,” the Pope added.
The Holy Father also reminded all about the World Youth Day that will take centre stage in less than a year’s time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 23-28. It will be a precious occasion for many young people to experience the joy and beauty of belonging to the Church and living the faith,” the pontiff said. “I look forward with hope to this event, and I encourage and thank the organisers, especially the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, for working diligently to welcome young people from around the world to this important Church meeting.”
Earlier, before reciting the ‘Angelus’ prayer, Pope Benedict reflected on Sunday’s Gospel in which St. John recounted Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed five thousand people. “The miracle,” the Pope observed, “did not come from nothing but from an ordinary boy's desire to share what he had.” Jesus does not ask us what we do not have, but shows us that if each of us offers what little we have, a miracle can always take place again. God is able to multiply every one of our small deeds of love and make us share in his gift. “Strengthened by that sacrifice, may we always work for the spiritual nourishment of our brethren, not forgetting the poor and needy,” the Pope urged. However, the miracle is primarily a sign of God’s immeasurable providence in the Eucharist. Christ nourishes us by uniting us to Himself; he draws us into Himself. Jesus is not an earthly king who rules, but a king who serves, who bends to man's level to meet not only his material hunger, but the deeper one, the one for God. “At the same time,” the Pope urged, “we want to pray that no one may lack the necessary bread for a life of dignity, and that all inequalities be removed, not through the weapons of violence, but through sharing and love.”