Pope issues appeal for Syria cease-fire, path to reconstruction at start of Syria peace talks
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Pope Francis is urging delegates attending the Syria peace conference in Switzerland to do everything they can to negotiate a cease-fire and launch "decisive" steps toward reconciliation and reconstruction.
Francis issued the appeal during his general audience Wednesday.
He said: "I pray that the Lord touches everyone's hearts so that they do everything in their power to urgently end the violence, in the interests of the poor Syrian people."
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The Vatican was invited to attend the Syria conference and sent two senior diplomats. Earlier this month, a Vatican-sponsored meeting called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Syria on humanitarian grounds.