Pope condemns violence in Syria, backs Annan’s peace plan

May 12, 2012: Pope Benedict condemned Thursday’s violence in Syria ensuring the prayers of the Catholic community for the victims and their families.

In a statement released through Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Pontiff also called for a firm and joint commitment on the part of the entire international community to implement UN/Arab league envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan, and to send more observers as soon as possible.

“We had seen some small glimmers of hope with the arrival of the first UN observers to Syria. But the violence and carnage on Thursday came like lightening in a blue sky”, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Pope Benedict XVI’s representative to Damascus, commenting on Thursday’s twin bombings in the capital Damascus that left 55 people dead and almost 400 wounded.

On Friday, Syrian authorities said they foiled another attempted suicide car bomb attack in the northern city of Aleppo, which had escaped major violence so far since hostilities first began between the Assad regime and opposition rebels over a year ago.

The appeal made by the Holy Father on Easter Day is now more pressing than ever: it is necessary without delay to make an immediate commitment to the path of respect, dialogue and reconciliation, the statement noted.

The sentiments were echoed by Pope Benedict’s representative in Damascus Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Mario Zenari: “The International community must move to back this plan, because the people don’t know what to do, what to think where Syria is going. We have to start again with courage and with commitment on the path to peace”.