Pope Francis praises efforts of aid groups, says Church will not abandon Syrian people

Pope Francis encouraged on Wednesday the efforts exerted by the International Community to hold a peace conference on the Syrian crisis, and called for more humanitarian aid for the refugees.    

Pope Francis said that the past few weeks highlighted the International Community's will to yield a fruitful dialogue that ends the Syrian war, adding that this initiative should be encouraged.                                

Pope Francis' words came during a meeting with Catholic aid groups who are working with refugees in Syria and the region.                                          

In light of the alleged use of the Sarin gas in the Syrian crisis, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for peace in order to face the ongoing violence, asking for the provision of humanitarian aid for the displaced and refugees, and for all those who have lost their homes.                                              

The Pope expressed his support to the Catholic aid groups, asking them to persist in helping the Syrian people despite of their religious or ethnic affiliation in order to build a peaceful future for Syria.              

Pope Frances called on the aid groups to tell the people of Syria and the Middle East that he is near them and the Church will not abandon them.