A military solution in Syria would be useless, Pope tells Putin.
In a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the G20 summit, the Pope said that world leaders should "abandon the futile pursuit of a military solution" in the Arab country; "Instead (attack), let there be a renewed commitment to seek, with courage and determination, a peaceful solution through dialogue," wrote Francis.
VATICAN CITY, Sept 5 (Reuters) Pope Francis said in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the G20 summit that world leaders should "abandon the futile pursuit of a military solution" in Syria.
The US and France are considering attacking Syria on August 21st to punish President Bashar al-Assad for the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians. Russia is leading the opposition to this action.
"Instead (of an attack), let there be a renewed commitment to seek, with courage and determination, a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation between the parties, unanimously supported by the international community," said the Argentine pontiff.
Francis said that "unilateral interests" have prevailed, hindering the search for a solution to a conflict that has already killed more than 100 people in two and a half years.
"To the leaders present (at the G20 meeting), to each one of them, I make a earnest appeal to help find ways to overcome conflicting positions."
He called on the world's 1,2 billion Catholics to participate on Saturday in a day of prayer and fasting for an end to the Syrian conflict. He also said that followers of other religions could participate in whatever way they saw fit.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella)