Pope Francis asks Putin to prevent massacre in Syria

Pope Francis sent a letter to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that is chairing the St. Petersburg G20 Leaders’ Summit, asking to ‘find a solution and prevent the massacre in Syria’, according to reports by Holy See’s press service. “The G20 leaders cannot remain inactive in the shadow of the Syrian people’s tragedy that threatens with more suffering the whole region in need of peace. I address to all urging to overcome divisions and refuse from any kind of solution by force,” the leader of the Roman Catholic Church wrote, pointing to the ‘duty’ of all states to provide humanitarian aid to those in need. The Pope also brought up the topic of economic issues. “In the first part of the letter the Pope brings up the topic of global economic problems. Specifically, the economy can develop in such a way that it is able to guarantee a decent life to all people living in the world and not only in the G20 states. Economic problems should be solved with manifestation of respect towards the weakest,” father Lombardi paraphrased the letter’s content. Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman padre Federico Lombardi has denied reports saying the Pope talked with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by telephone. The Syrian issue and ways to overcome the economic crisis are in the spotlight of G20 leaders’ attention at the G20 Leaders’ Summit today in St. Petersburg.