Vatican diplomat attends Friends of Syria summit

(February 25.2012) A Vatican diplomat has attended an international summit seeking an end to Syria's yearlong civil war. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, apostolic nuncio to Egypt and the Holy See's delegate to the Arab League, was an observer at the so-called Friends of Syria meeting Feb. 24 in Tunis, Tunisia, said the Vatican's spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi. The meeting of representatives of about 60 Western and Arab states to called for an immediate cease-fire and demanded that Syria open humanitarian corridors. The nations also pledged to increase aid and to set up relief centres in areas along the Syrian border. The Vatican's participation at the summit, at the invitation of Tunisia's foreign minister, was "intended to show the closeness and solidarity of the Holy See with all of the Syrian people" and its wish for "peace and stability" in the region, Father Lombardi said. Father Lombardi added that the "spirit and inspiring principles" guiding Archbishop Fitzgerald at the talks were those expressed by Pope Benedict XVI Feb. 12, when he called on "everyone, especially Syria's political authorities, to favour the path of dialogue, reconciliation and a commitment to peace." The Vatican spokesman also voiced hopes that the talks would help guarantee the rights of Syria's Christians, who account for about 16 percent of the country's population.