Syrian patriarch asks Vatican to increase peace efforts
Catholic News Agency (CNA)
The most powerful Catholic leader in Syria met Pope Francis today to ask the Vatican to get more involved in bringing peace to his tortured homeland.
“I think it’s time the Vatican plays a bigger role, when we hear about weapons here and there,” said Patriarch Gregory III Laham.
“We want to hear the voice of the Holy Father saying, ‘This is a sin, it is against humanity,’” he told reporters April 17 at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
The Patriarch of Antioch, who is the spiritual leader of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, said the voice of the Holy See “is now extremely important for us, both Christians and Muslims.”
His Church is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
Patriarch Gregory said Orthodox Christians, Muslims and government leaders also want to meet with Pope Francis.
At the level of diplomacy, he hopes that whoever the next Vatican Secretary of State is will take “new actions.”
