Pope announces day of fasting, prayer for Syria

Pope urged the international community to make ‘every effort’ to begin a process of dialogue in Syria.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has called for the world to unite on Saturday in a day of fasting and prayer for Syria and said ‘God and history’ would judge anyone using chemical weapons.

“May the cry for peace enter the hearts of everyone,” the pope told tens of thousands of pilgrims at his traditional weekly blessing in the Vatican on Sunday.

“I condemn with particular force the use of chemical weapons. I still have in my mind and heart the terrible images of the past days,” he said. “There is judgment from God and history on our actions that no one can escape.”

He urged the international community to make ‘every effort’ to begin a process of dialogue in Syria.

The pope’s call came as the US, France and other countries were making plans for a limited armed response against Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2013.