(Fides.org) “The greatness of a leader is to seek peace and make peace, not to wage war and create destruction. A superpower is such if it is a power of peace”. These are the words of Catholic Patriarch Gregory III of Damascus in response to the speech given by President Obama on Tuesday night, effectively pausing a military strike in Syria for diplomatic possibilities instead.
“Syria is fully linked with neighboring countries. And if a tree in a forest burns, the entire forest will burn”, he said, warning against the risk of a regional war that would produce thousands of new victims. Emphasizing the importance of diplomacy as a means to peace in Syria and throughout the region, Gregory III urged the world to continue to pray. “We also renew the invitation to all the faithful to continue to pray, as requested by the Pope, for peace in Syria and in the world”.
