Pope Frances Calls for Ending Terrorists Brutal Persecution in Syria, Iraq

Vatican City (ST) _ Pope Francis  of the Vatican on Thursday hoped peace to prevail the Middle East region  and massacres and holding hostages to come to an end,  condemning the  jihadist violence and the “brutal persecution” of religious minorities in a Christmas message to the world.

In a televised message quoted by AFP yesterday, the Pope  made a strong call to end violence wrought against children amid “indifference and tears,” notably in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and most recently against schoolchildren in Pakistan.

“Truly there are so many tears this Christmas,” he said in the message broadcast across the world.

He said Christians in Iraq and Syria “for too long now have suffered the effects of ongoing conflict” and “together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal persecution.”

Killings and hostage-takings from the Middle East to Nigeria and elsewhere must stop, he said, adding that “the children massacred by bombardments, including where the son of God was born” , in the Holy Land , and their “powerless silence that cries under the sword.”

“May Jesus save the vast numbers of children who are victims of violence, made objects of trade and trafficking, or forced to become soldiers.”

“May he give comfort to the families of the children killed in Pakistan last week”, he added, referring to the 149 people, including 133 school-children, killed in Peshawar by the Taliban.

For this occasion, thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver his annual Christmas message. The pontiff touched on hope, refugees and hostages, and those suffering in the Middle East.

T. Fateh