Pope urges G8 to push immediate ceasefire in Syria

On the eve of a two-day G8 summit in Northern Ireland, Pope Francis calls on the leaders of the world’s top industrialized nations to push for an immediate ceasefire in Syria. In a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Francis says, “I earnestly hope that the summit will help to obtain an immediate and lasting ceasefire and to bring all parties in the conflict to the negotiating table.” The West is at odds with Russia over what action to take to end the civil war that has killed at least 93,000 people since March 2011. The United States vows to send military aid to rebel forces against President Bashar al-Assad after saying it had proof the regime used chemical weapons. The US plans for military aid to rebels is backed by allies Britain and France. But Russia, the Assad regime’s staunchest ally during the conflict, opposes Washington’s plans.

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