Pope condemns Syria war, kidnapping

June 03, 2013 - Pope Francis on Sunday expressed great concern and pain over the continuing war in Syria, and appealed to the ``humanity'' of kidnappers there to release their hostages. After his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer, he addressed a large crowd in St. Peter's Square from his studio window, deploring the over 2-year long civil conflict that is inflaming Syria, particularly hitting the defenceless population that is yearning for peace in justice and understanding. “This tormenting war situation brings along with it tragic consequences: death, destruction, enormous economic and environmental damage, as well as the scourge of kidnapping of persons,” the Pope lamented. He assured his prayers and solidarity for kidnapped person and their families. He appealed to the “humanity of kidnappers so that they free the victims.” “Let us always pray for our beloved Syria,” the Pope urged.
The Pope also noted that in the world there are many conflict situations, but there are also many signs of hope. He encouraged recent steps taken in various Latin American countries towards reconciliation and peace, and urged for prayers for them. The Pope recalled that Sunday morning he celebrated Holy Mass for a group Italian military and families of some who died in peace missions, to promote reconciliation and peace in countries where ‘brotherly blood’ still continues to be shed in wars, which is madness. “With war one loses everything. One gains everything with peace,” the Pope said, inviting all present in St. Peter’s Square for a moment of prayer for the fallen, the wounded and their families.
Before the ‘Angelus’, the Pope underscored the value of the day’s feast of Corpus Christi, or the ‘Body of Christ’, which he said, "asks us to convert to faith in Providence, to share the little that we are and that we have, and to never close in on ourselves." The feast was celebrated in the Vatican last Thursday, but in Italy and other countries is celebrated on Sunday, today. Commenting on the Gospel reading on the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, the Pope set on contrast the compassion of Jesus for the hungry crowd against the disciples’ attitude of avoiding problems by sending them away. But Jesus educates his disciples to trust in God’s Providence by involving them in feeding the crowd. This miracle, the Pope pointed out, is more than a multiplication, it is a sharing, animated by faith and prayer. This was a sign of Jesus, the bread of God for humanity, the Pope said. The disciples saw, but did not grasp the message well. Once again, they followed human logic and not that of God, that of service, love and faith. "The Feast of Corpus Christi,” the Pope concluded, “asks us to convert to faith in Providence, to share the little that we are and that we have, and not to close into ourselves ever.”