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Pope supports Caritas Syria peace campaign


Pope Francis is urging governments to find a political solution to the war in Syria. In a video message released on Tuesday in support of a new Caritas Internationalis campaign, 'Syria: Peace is Possible', the Pope reiterates his belief that "there is no military solution for Syria, only a political one."

"The international community must support peace talks towards the building of a national unity government" he said.

Pope Francis continues: "I invite you to ask those who are involved in peace talks to take these agreements seriously and to commit to facilitating access to humanitarian aid. While the people suffer, an incredible amount of money is being spent on giving fighters weapons. Some of the countries providing these arms are also those talking of peace. How can one believe in those who caress you with the right hand while hitting you with the left?" the Pope said.

Caritas, the Catholic Church's global network of humanitarian agencies, provides food, healthcare, basic needs, education, shelter, counselling, protection and livelihoods in Syria and to refugees in host countries. National Caritas organisations reached 1.3 million people last year alone.

Dealing with the humanitarian consequences of the five year war in Syria it is the largest Caritas relief operation in the world. Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Michel Roy, told Vatican Radio's Linda Bordoni that Caritas is launching a new website to support the campaign and it is urging people across the globe to pray, to campaign for peace and to increase humanitarian support needed because so many are trapped in Syria, or have been displaced.

The site includes commissioned artwork from Syrian artist Tammam Azzam, an animated film on the war, an award winning photo series and testimony from Syrians living both inside the country and as refugees in bordering nations and beyond.

Visit the new Caritas website, 'Syria: Peace is Possible' here: http://syria.caritas.org/

You can also follow the campaign on Twitter #peacepossible4syria @iamCaritas

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