“We are painfully struck and we follow with great concern what is happening in Syria, in Iraq, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where we see an escalation of violence that involves innocent civilians and continues to fuel a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis and the Synod of the Family issued an appeal to the international community to “use the instruments of international law” in the Middle East “where we see an escalation of violence that involves innocent civilians and continues to fuel a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions.”

Speaking at the opening of the fourth General Congregation, the Holy Father called on those present to dedicate a prayer for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East. At the same time, together with the Synod Fathers, the pope made his appeal to the international community.

“In resuming this morning the work of the General Congregation, I invite you to dedicate the prayer of the Third Hour to the intention of reconciliation and peace in the Middle East. We are painfully struck and we follow with great concern what is happening in Syria, in Iraq, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where we see an escalation of violence that involves innocent civilians and continues to fuel a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions.

“War brings destruction and multiplies the sufferings of peoples. Hope and progress come only from choices for peace. Let us unite, therefore, in an intense and confident prayer to the Lord, a prayer that intends to be an expression of solidarity at once with [our] brother Patriarchs and Bishops from those regions, who are present here [at the Synod Assembly], as well as with their priests and faithful, and to everyone who lives there.

"At the same time, together with the [whole] Synod, I send a heartfelt appeal to the international community, that the nations of the world might find a way effectively to help the parties concerned to broaden their horizons beyond the immediate interests and to use the instruments of international law [and] diplomacy, to resolve the conflicts underway at present.

"Finally, I wish to extend our prayer also to those areas of the African continent, which are experiencing analogous situations of conflict. May Mary, Queen of Peace and loving Mother of her children intercede for all."

Louis Raphael I Sako, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, turned his thoughts to the Middle East, in particular Iraqi Christians, in his homily this morning, on the Third Hour.

The patriarch, citing the Epistle to the Romans, said, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, The one who is righteous by faith will live”(Rom 1:16-17).

“Faith is not something static, or speculation,” the patriarch said. “It is an inner vision, a deep mystical relationship experienced in the details of an everyday life full of difficulties. Like love, faith is a commitment that must grow day after day in the long journey of life: from faith to faith.

“How can we reconcile love and justice? If love does not go beyond justice, the Gospel becomes hollow. [To grasp this,] One has to hear the experience of Iraqi Christians who one night had to abandon everything to remain true to their faith."

• vatican
• synod
• family
• pope
• francis
• patriarch
• louis
• sako