Pope Francis has sent a video message in support of Caritas’ “Peace is Possible” campaign: “How can you believe in someone who caresses you with the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?"
“Peace in Syria is possible,” Pope Francis says in a video message in support of the campaign launched by Caritas Internationalis, reiterating its title. In the video message, which was published today, 5 July 2016, the Pope urges governments to find a political solution to the Syria war, criticising “countries supplying these arms are also among those that talk of peace. How can you believe in someone who caresses you with the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?”
The Pope says he wishes “to speak about something that saddens my heart a lot: the war in Syria, now in its fifth year”. “I want to turn to all the faithful and those that are committed, with Caritas, to the construction of a more just society. Peace in Syria is possible!” the Pope says.
According to Francis, “everyone has to recognise that there is no military solution for Syria, but only a political solution. The international community must therefore support the peace talks heading towards the construction of a government of national unity.”
Francis invites all “to call on those who are involved in peace negotiations to take these agreements seriously and to make every effort to facilitate access to humanitarian aid”.
The Pope decried the fact that “while the people suffer, incredible quantities of money are being spent to supply weapons to fighters”.
Dealing with the humanitarian consequences of Syria’s five-year war has involved the biggest rescue operation Caritas has undertaken in the world. Caritas provides food, healthcare, relief goods, education, shelter, counselling, protection and means of livelihood in Syria and countries hosting refugees. Last year alone, national Caritas branches brought aid to 1,3 million people. Caritas is also encouraging supporters around the world to put pressure on governments in order to ensure that all parties in the conflict join forces to find a peaceful solution, that support is given to the millions of people affected by the war and that Syrians inside and outside Syria are given dignity and hope.
Caritas is launching a new website - syria.caritas.org - to promote the campaign. It will feature: a piece of art by Syrian artist Tammam Azzam, who was especially commissioned to create it; an animation film on the war; a series of award-winning photographs as well as the testimonies of Syrians who stayed behind and of refugees living in neighbouring or faraway countries.
The President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who met Syrians in Lebanon and Greece, stated: “These are not just numbers, these are human beings. We need to give them hope, dignity and peace. In the name of all the people touched by this conflict, we are appealing to everyone to work for peace in Syria.”
