On the banks of the Jordan River at a meeting with a group of Syrian refugees, Francis calls for a "return to the path of negotiations." And "May God convert the violent and those who have plans for war and strengthen the hearts and minds of the peacemakers and reward them with every blessing."

Amman (AsiaNews) - A "heartfelt appeal for peace in Syria," made among hundreds of refugees from that country ended Pope Francis' first day in the Holy Land. The appeal came from the banks of the Jordan River, at Bethany beyond the Jordan, one of two places (the other is in the Occupied Territories, on the other side of the river) where according to tradition Jesus was baptised.

From here, the pope renewed the request, which he had ​​already made in his first speech in Amman, to the international community to help Jordan help refugees and made his appeal for peace. "Let everyone give up the claim that weapons can solve problems," he had said. Let "us return to the path of negotiation."

At the end of the meeting, he renewed his call "for reason and moderation," ending his address by asking God to "convert the violent and those who have plans of war".

As the sun began setting, the pope also met some 600 people, including refugees and disabled youth, inside the Latin church still under construction whose first stone was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit on 10 May 2009.

Before arriving at the church, Pope Francis, accompanied by Jordan's king and queen, went to the bank of the Jordan River, scooped up some water, and paused in prayer.

"The place where we are reminds us of Jesus' baptism," he told the group of refugees and disabled people. "By coming here to the Jordan to be baptised by John, He showed his humility and that he shared in the human condition. By coming down to our level and with his love, he gave back our dignity and gave us salvation. Jesus' humility is always striking, bending down to care for and heal human wounds. In turn, we are deeply touched by the tragedies and the wounds of our time, especially those caused by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. My thoughts go first to Syria, torn apart by a fratricidal struggle that has lasted for three years now and that has already claimed countless victims, forcing millions of people to become refugees and exiles in other countries."

"I thank the authorities and the people of Jordan for their generous hospitality for such a large number of refugees from Syria and Iraq, and I extend my thanks to all those who have lent their assistance and solidarity towards the refugees. My thoughts are also for the charity work performed by Church institutions like Caritas Jordan and others, who, by caring for the needy without distinction of religion, ethnicity or ideology, have shown the splendour of the charitable face of the merciful Jesus. May the Almighty and Benevolent God bless all of you and all your efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by war!"

"I appeal to the international community not to leave Jordan alone in coping with the humanitarian emergency caused by the arrival on its territory of such a large number of refugees." Instead, it should "continue and increase its support and help. I renew my most heartfelt appeal for peace in Syria. Let the violence end and let humanitarian law be respected, providing the necessary assistance to the people who are suffering! Let everyone give up the claim that weapons can solve problems and let us return to the path of negotiation. In fact, the solution can only come from dialogue and moderation, from compassion for the suffering, from the search for a political solution and a sense of responsibility towards our fellow brothers and sisters."

"At the end of this meeting, I renew the hope that reason and moderation will prevail and that, with the help of the international community, Syria will find the way to peace. May God convert the violent and those who have plans of war and let Him strengthen the hearts and minds of the peacemakers and reward them with every blessing."

• vatican
• jordan
• holy
• land
• pope
• francis
• visit
• refugees