Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday launched a fresh appeal on the Syrian authorities, urging them to address the demands of protesters and put end to months-long violent uprising in the country.
"It's urgent to respond to the legitimate aspirations of the different sections of the nation, as well as the auspices of the international community," the Pope said, addressing a croud gathered in St Peter's Square for his traditional Sunday noon Angelus prayer.
'I remember in prayer the victims, several of whom are children, the injured and all those who suffer the consequences of a increasingly worrying conflict' the pontiff said.
Benedict who has publicly implored a cessation of violence in Syria several times since November, said he was also again 'inviting the political authorities in Syria to favor dialogue, reconciliation and a commitment to peace.”
Russia has firmly supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the uprising against his regime. Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria, backed by the Arab League and Western nations, to prevent a repetition of “the Libyan scenario.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday called on the Arab world, the United States and Europe to refrain from passing judgment on the national dialogue in Syria before it has even begun.
During a visit to Damascus last week, Lavrov said President Assad was ready for dialogue with all political forces.
Meanwhile, Syrian authorities continue shelling the city of Homs, a center of resistance to Assad’s regime.
At least 52 people were killed by security forces on Friday, opposition activists say.
Human rights groups say more than 7,000 people have died since the nationwide uprising began in March last year.
The government says around 2,000 members of its security forces have been killed in the unrest.
On Friday, violence spread to Syria’s second largest city of Aleppo with two bomb blasts that killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 200 others.
The government and the rebel Free Syrian Army have blamed each other for the explosions.
