Aug 7, 2011 / 09:37 am
Pope Benedict XVI used his Sunday Angelus address to call for peace in Syria and to urge the government there to respect “the legitimate aspirations” of its citizens.
“I renew an urgent appeal to the Syrian Authority and population, for peaceful coexistence to be restored as soon as possible and for an adequate response to the legitimate aspirations of the citizens, respecting their dignity and for the benefit of regional stability,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo near Rome August 7.
The Pope’s comments come on the day that reports suggest at least 38 people were killed in a dawn raid by the Syrian army upon the eastern city of Deir al-Zour.
Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles bombarded the city which has been the scene of frequent protests in recent months. In total, anti-government activists claim that over 1650 civilians have now been killed since their uprising began in mid-March.