New bearer of hope in Syria: HTS boss praises Pope Francis!

New bearer of hope in Syria: HTS boss praises Pope Francis!

In an important meeting, the new ruler in Syria, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, praised Pope Francis as a “true man of peace”. This happened on the occasion of a New Year's Eve meeting with Christian religious leaders in Damascus, where Al-Sharaa expressed his appreciation for the Pope's peace efforts. According to Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land Ibrahim Faltas, who reported on the talks, Al-Sharaa asked for support in the return of Syrian refugees and emphasized the important role of the Christian community in rebuilding the country. “Syrian Christians are a significant and integral component of our people's history,” said Al-Sharaa, saying his new government is committed to building democratic structures, KAP reported.

A notable aspect of the meeting was the presentation by Father Faltas of the commemorative medal of the canonized Franciscan Martyrs of Damascus. This act symbolizes the hope for peace and unity in a country marked by years of conflict. Faltas and his fellow Franciscan brothers used their visit to show solidarity with the people in the severely affected communities and set a sign of a new beginning. This came as part of the opening of the Holy Year of Hope, which invites leaders worldwide to promote peace in their communities.

The traumatic reality of Christians in the Holy Land

However, the situation of the Christian population in the Holy Land remains tense. Ibrahim Faltas, a prominent Catholic leader in the region, describes the Holy Land as a place of conflict, tragically transformed by the post-October 7 war. In Bethlehem, where the Christian presence is drastically declining, Christmas is becoming a sad event. Faltas emphasizes that many festival traditions have been canceled and the lack of tourists represents an existential crisis for the local population. “Bethlehem has become an open-air prison,” said Faltas, explaining the constant threat to Christians who are increasingly marginalized in their homeland, as domradio.de reported.

As the church attempts to halt the decline of the Christian community, it is battling massive social and economic challenges. Without clear prospects, both the Custody and local leaders are calling for urgent action to offer a sustainable future for the remaining Christians. Faltas is committed to preserving religious diversity and wants comprehensive support from international actors to promote peaceful and respectful dialogue between different religious communities.