ROME: Pope Francis has called for the war in Syria to end, noting that 2021 marks its 10th anniversary.
In an audience with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican, the leader of the Catholic Church also confirmed that his visit to Iraq, beginning on March 5, will mark the restart of his apostolic travels, which were paused for nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“How I wish 2021 were the year in which the final word to the Syrian conflict, which began 10 years ago, was finally written,” Pope Francis told 88 ambassadors from around the world.
“For this to happen, a renewed interest is needed by the international community so that the causes of the conflict are faced with sincerity and courage and solutions through which everyone, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation, can contribute as citizens to the future of the country.”
ROME: Pope Francis will celebrate the UN’s first International Day of Human Fraternity on Feb. 4 with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.
Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other public figures will also take part in the event, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity will be given that day, with the meeting and ceremony streamed live in several languages.
The prize was inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity that the pope signed with Al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi during his inaugural visit to the Arabian peninsula two years ago.