Papal nuncio pleads for international effort to stop bloodshed in Syria

(July 16, 2012) The papal representative in Syria is calling upon international leaders to take action to stop the growing violence in the troubled country. On his return to Syria after 3 weeks, Archbishop Mario Zenari, the apostolic nuncio in Syria said the situation was worse. He reported that fighting between the government and rebel forces has spread across the country, and security has deteriorated for civilians. The archbishop pressed for world powers to break a stalemate that has prevented strong United Nations action in the case of Syria. China and Russia recently vetoed a Security Council resolution that would have slapped tough sanctions on the Assad regime, which has been charged with brutal efforts to put down the uprising.