Pope Francis is imploring
the White House, the Kremlin and
the world, to find a
peaceful way out of the Syria crisis.
Pope Decries 'Futile Pursuit of Military Solution'; Vatican
Denies Call to Assad (Clarin, Argentina)
"Vatican sources told Clarin that the pontiff would be taking a more direct role in the Syrian conflict, and had communicated a few days ago with the president of that country. The same source confirmed to Clarin that the Pope's diplomatic offensive would include efforts by his collaborators in the White House to persuade U.S. President Barack Obama not to attack Syria. In fact, some say Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough - a Catholic - influenced Obama to postpone an attack until the U.S. Congress approves."
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports that as part of his diplomatic strategy, Pope Francis sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin before the start of the G20 Summit, in which he called on world leaders to "lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution" to the Syrian civil war and instead promote a "peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation."
Over
the last few days, the Pope has led a strong offensive against possible
military intervention in Syria, and has called for a global day of fasting and
prayer for Saturday. On Saturday, Francis will preside over a day of prayer at
St. Peter’s Square from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Italian time), which will include a
recital of the rosary, Eucharistic adoration, and meditation.
Meanwhile,
the Vatican today “categorically” denied that Francis called Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The denial comes after Vatican sources told
Clarin
yesterday that the pontiff would be taking a more direct role in the Syrian
conflict, and had communicated a few days ago with the president of that
country.
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
The
same source confirmed to Clarin
that the Pope's diplomatic offensive would include efforts by his collaborators
in the White House to persuade U.S. President Barack Obama not to attack Syria.
In fact, some say Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough - a Catholic - influenced
Obama to postpone an attack until the U.S. Congress approves.
It
is thought that more
details will be announced after a meeting that Jorge Bergoglio
[the Pope's lay name] will have with ambassadors accredited to the Holy See to
inform them about the day of prayer and fasting announced for next Saturday.
