Pope Francis calls for end to wars in Middle East

By Radio Sapientia

5^th Feb 2019

Pope Francis has called for a halt to wars in the Middle East.

In his second and final day visit to the Arabian Peninsula, Pope Francis said the “fateful consequences” of violence could be seen in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya that has left the most vulnerable without food, shelter, medicine and security.

Pope Francis said this while celebrating an outdoor Mass for some 135,000 people at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates is part of a Saudi-led coalition whose intervention in the conflict in Yemen has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Earlier on during a special session attended by the head of Sunni Islam’s highest seat of learning Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis they addressed a gathering of religious representatives at the Abu Dhabi Founder’s Memorial after signing a “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”.

Sheik Ahmed urged the Middle East’s Muslims to “embrace” local Christians and avoid religious conflicts that have characterized a number of attacks especially against the Christians.

He also called on Muslims in the West to integrate into their communities while maintaining their identities.