Pope at the audience: In Syria, 'a political solution for stability and unity'

From the Paul VI Hall, the appeal for the country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime: "May the Syrian people live in peace and security in their beloved land," and may the religions "walk together in mutual respect". This morning, there was also a meeting with the non-profit organization ResQ - People Saving People: "Migrants should be welcomed and integrated". The cycle of catechesis on the Holy Spirit was concluded: "If the Church is a boat, the Spirit is the sail that drives it".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The advance of the Islamist militias Hayat Tahrir al Sham, which ended 24 years of a regime marked by violence and human rights violations, the flight of President Bashar al-Assad, the joy of a liberated people, and Israeli bombs on military warehouses. The fate of a country to be rewritten. "I am following what is happening in Syria, in this delicate moment of its history," Pope Francis stated this morning in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, where the Wednesday general audience took place, during the final greetings to Italian-speaking faithful. "I hope that a political solution is reached that, without further conflict and division, responsibly promotes the stability and unity of the country," he added.

He then dedicated a thought to the Syrian population, which includes a large community of over 6.2 million refugees, primarily living in Turkey (over 3 million), Lebanon, Germany, and Jordan, according to 2024 UNHCR data. "I pray for the intercession of the Virgin Mary that the Syrian people may live in peace and security in their beloved land," said Bergoglio, who then spoke of the need for unity among religions in this time of rapid change. "May the different religions walk together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of that nation, afflicted by so many years of war," was a strong desire expressed today.

Another thought for the many other countries in the world at war followed. "I always think of the martyred Ukraine, which is suffering so much because of this war. Let us pray that a way out can be found," said Pope Francis, hoping for a shift in the European conflict. "And I think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar. May peace return, may there be peace. War is always a defeat. Let us pray for peace." Before the audience, Bergoglio met with a delegation from the non-profit organization ResQ - People Saving People in the Nervi Hall, congratulating them on their "meritorious action" in favor of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea and along the Balkan Route. These people’s lives are a reflection of "conflicts that often trigger humanitarian crises and lead to violations of rights." ResQ's work demonstrates that "every human being is unique and their dignity is inviolable," said Francis. "The migrant must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted, and integrated."

At the beginning of the audience, in front of the pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis read the last catechesis of the cycle dedicated to the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the "bride," meaning the Church. Today's reflection focused on the title of the entire cycle: "The Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides the People of God towards Jesus, our hope." As a biblical reference, a passage from Revelation (Rev 22:17.20) was read in several languages, including Chinese, which inspired the entire series of meditations: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'" (Rev 22:17), "addressed to Christ." "At that older stage, the invocation had a background that today we would call eschatological," explained Bergoglio. "It expressed the ardent anticipation of the glorious return of the Lord." An expectation that is not solitary. "It was also joined by the expectation of His continuous coming in the present and pilgrim state of the Church."

Since then, history has seen a change "full of meaning." "The cry of invocation is no longer usually directed only to Christ, but also to the Holy Spirit Himself! The One who cries is now also the One to whom the cry is directed," the pope added. "Come!" is also the invocation before the hymns and prayers of the Church addressed to the Holy Spirit. "It is He who 'announces the things to come' (cf. Jn 16:13) and makes them desired and awaited. That is why Christ and the Spirit are inseparable, even in the economy of salvation." "If the Church is a boat, the Holy Spirit is the sail that pushes it and makes it advance in the sea of history, today as in the past!" he continued. Then, speaking about hope, of which the Holy Spirit is "the ever-springing source," he affirmed that "it is not an empty word," but a "certainty, because it is based on God's faithfulness to His promises." At the same time, it is not enough to simply possess it: "The Christian cannot be satisfied with having hope; he must also radiate hope, be a sower of hope. It is the most beautiful gift the Church can give to all humanity, especially in moments when everything seems to push us to lower the sails."