New York City, 23 January, 2020 / 5:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis is concerned about the worsening situation in the Middle East, and is urging a continued commitment to dialogue in the region, a senior Vatican diplomat told the United Nations Security Council Wednesday.
Monsignor Fredrik Hansen, chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN spoke during an open debate at the Security Council on Jan. 22, relaying the Pope’s concerns over the still ongoing crises in Syria, Yemen, and the Holy Land.
“It is of the utmost importance that the support and the commitment of the international community keep the flame of dialogue alive and that these challenges be addressed with a holistic approach,” said Hansen.
Pope Francis has called for “steadfast and effective engagement,” Hansen said, in order to counteract what he termed “the pall of silence that risks falling over the war that has devastated Syria over the course of the last decade.”
Syria is in need of “suitable and far-sighted solutions” in order to assist the “beloved Syrian people” to rebuild their country and experience peace once again.