Pope Francis: Those Responsible for Bombing Aleppo ‘Must Answer to God’

VATICAN – Pope Francis at a public speaking engagement in St. Peter’s Square has denounced the bombing of Aleppo in Syria. He pointed out that those responsible for killing civilians will have to answer to God. The Pope described Aleppo as “an already martyred city, where everybody is dying.”

Pope Francis said that he is “united in suffering through prayer and spiritual closeness” to the people in Aleppo. The Pope expressed “deep pain and strong worry for what’s happening,” he further said. “children and elderly … everyone is dying.”

“This is an imperative and urgent obligation. I appeal to the consciences of those responsible for the bombings, who one day will have to account to God”.  He urged all those involved to “commit themselves with all their strength to protect civilians”.

Once Syria’s largest city, Aleppo now comes in two parts – the government controlled west and rebel occupied east.

The Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad along with its Russian backers were accused of committing “barbaric” action against the people. Consequently, Moscow   is challenging the accusation and considers the Western allies’ rhetoric as unacceptable.

The current situation in Syria is that the Russian-backed Syrian forces have unleashed a major operation on the ancient city. In addition, air strikes have resumed pounding the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo overnight.

Aid groups working in Aleppo has determined that children constitute a large portion of casualties due to the air strikes. Furthermore, at least 100,000 children remain confined within the rebel controlled part of Aleppo.

Aid Severely Needed

World Health Organization is calling for an “immediate establishment of humanitarian routes” into Aleppo. Reports on the ground indicate that hospitals are in dire need of supplies. Emergency patients are coming in almost non-stop and emergency personnel as well as supplies simply aren’t sufficient.

The US have pledged to give an extra $364 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Syrian conflict.

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