VATICAN CITY
Roman Catholic Pontiff Francis has repeated his call for a ceasefire in Syria saying that the desired peace can only be achieved in war torn Syria through dialogue and reconciliation.
Referring to the three-year-long civil war in Syria at a panel discussion held at St. Peters Square in the Vatican today, the Pope said, “Please silence the weapons and end violence. Prevent more war and destruction.”
The Pope underscored that human rights must be respected and drew attention to humanitarian aid needed for the Syrian people.
He expressed his deep sorrow over a bloodthirsty assasination of 75 year-old Dutch Priest, Frans Van der Lugt, whom he recalled as "my Jesuit Brother". Pope Francis commented on the priest who was killed last Monday in the Syrian city of Homs, and said, “Lugt was loved by Christians and Muslims alike because of his warm-hearted personality. His death once again reminds me of the people who are suffering in Syria.”
More than 100,000 people have been killed during the ongoing three-year conflict in Syria, which has also internally displaced more than 6.5 million people, according to the U.N.
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