Pope calls for ‘mutual respect’ between religions in Syria

VATICAN CITY (AFP): Pope Francis called Wednesday for “mutual respect” between religions in Syria, three days after the country’s longtime president Bashar Assad was toppled by rebels in a lightning offensive.

“I pray… that the Syrian people may live in peace and security in their beloved land and the different religions may walk together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of that nation afflicted by so many years of war,” Francis said during his weekly general audience.