'I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution. Let there be a renewed commitment to seek, with courage and determination, a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation of the parties, unanimously supported by the international community.'
This was part of a series of moves used to prevent further development of the Syria situation.
With a tweet the pope condemned the situation around Syria and declared a day of prayer and fasting yesterday. He then took part in a vigil and prayed for peace.
Catholic Church echoed this initiative in the U.S. Congress asking congressmen to vote against military intervention. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops communicated to the U.S. president that they agree to Pope Francis' views and believe that U.S.' involvement with a Syria strike would be counterproductive and could make an already deadly situation even worst.
