Syria: Nuncio welcomes Papal appeal

At the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in Syria, calling on the international community to guarantee humanitarian care for all those affected by the violence and to work toward a just, lasting solution to the crisis. The Nuncio to Syria, Archbishop Mario Zenari, told Vatican Radio that the Holy Father’s words were very welcome. “The appeal of the Holy Father,” said Archbsihop Zenari, “for the cessation of the violence in Syria, and his solidarity with the sufferings of the people, was of great consolation.” The Nuncio went on to describe the situation in Syria as very grave. “At this moment,” he said, “the feeling among the people is of a great [uncertainty].” Archbishop Zenari called on all the religious leaders of Syria to unite in the cause of reconciliation and peace. “Come together,” he said, “all of you – and with all the strength of your moral authority, launch a joint and severe warning to the parties to the conflict, to stop, in the name of God, the violence and repression that take the country to destruction.” Listen to Archbsihop Zenari's extended remarks to Vatican Radio's Sergio Centofanti: