Vatican City, Aug 7, 2016 / 02:34 am
On Sunday, Pope Francis lamented at how many defenseless civilians are forced to "pay the price" of the ongoing Syrian crisis, and he expressed his solidarity for those affected.
"Sadly, news of civilian victims of war continues to arrive from Syria, especially from Aleppo," the Pope said during his weekly post-Angelus address, delivered to the crowds in St. Peter's Square from the Apostolic palace.
"It is unacceptable that many unarmed persons – even many children – must pay the price of the conflict," he said. The price, he said, is that of "closed hearts and the absence of the desire for peace" on the part of the powerful.
The pontiff expressed his closeness in prayer and solidarity to his "Syrian brothers and sisters," entrusting them to the "maternal protection of the Virgin Mary." He then invited the crowds in a moment of prayerful silence, before leading them in the Hail Mary.