Pope calls for silencing arms in Syria; urges all to enter Christ's door

August 26, 2013 - Pope Francis once more raised his voice on Sunday against the insane war raging in Syria, and called on the international community to be sensible to the tragic situation that is worsening with escalating massacres and atrocities. "With great pain and concern I continue to follow the situation in Syria,” the Pope told a large crowd in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, after reciting with them the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer. “The increase in violence in a war between brothers, with escalation in massacres and atrocities, that we all have been able to see in the terrible images of these days, leads me once again to raise my voice that the clash of arms may cease," he said speaking from the studio window of the papal apartment overlooking the square. The Pope said it is not with confrontation that problems are solved, but with the capacity to meet and dialogue. “From the bottom of my heart, I wish to manifest my closeness with prayer and solidarity to all the victims of this conflict, those suffering, especially children, and invite all to always keep alive the hope of peace.” Pope Francis appealed to the international community for greater sensitiveness towards this tragic situation and commit itself to “help Syria find a solution to a war that is sowing destruction and death.” He urged all to pray together to the Madonna, Queen of Peace.
Before the Marian prayer, Pope Francis shared a reflection on Sunday’s Sunday where Jesus calls for striving "through the narrow door". Explaining the imagery of the gate, the Pope said that Jesus is the doorway to safety, love and warmth which leads us to the Father, where all without distinction are invited. But, he noted that today there are many gates that beckon us to come in by promising happiness that lasts only for a moment, that dries up by itself and has no future. Jesus, the Pope explained, is the narrow gate where we let him into our lives more and more, to open ourselves, to get out of our own selfishness, our own close-mindedness, our indifference toward others. Jesus the narrow gate is not a torture chamber, but He calls us to open our hearts to Him, to acknowledge our sins, our need of his salvation, his forgiveness, his love; to be humble enough to accept his mercy and be renewed by Him. Pope Francis said being Christian is not wearing a label, but being Christ’s followers in truth and in heart, living and bearing witness to the faith in prayer, in works of charity, in promoting justice, and in doing good.