Simone Cantarini

The Patriarch of Antioch talks about the role of the Church in Syria in light of the pope's Apostolic Exhortation 'Gaudium Evangelii'. Thanks to the suffering of war, Christians have rediscovered their faith and their role, which is to bear witness to Muslims fighting each other of a different way of life. Papers have been submitted to the Vatican for the beatification of the three young martyrs in Ma'aloula.

Bishop Giorgio Bertin talks about the Church's witness in the land where al-Qaeda's most violent terrorists are born. For the prelate, "bearing witness to the Gospel means giving oneself to God's initiative, participating with Christians in the hopes and the suffering of the whole population."

In a village north of Aleppo Fr. Hanna, a Franciscan, rings the bells every day to show the public that he is there for them. Nuns, priests and volunteers are now a point of reference and love for Christians and Muslims torn apart by a war imported from outside. Archbishop Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Damascus: "The real victory is not winning the war, but peace."

For Fr Mtanios Haddad, patriarchal delegate for Rome's Greek Melkite community, there will be no peace without Christians, whether in Syria or the Middle East. Tomorrow, in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, there will be a Mass for the release of Mgrs Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi and all the people kidnapped in Syria in recent months. Pope Francis's solidarity with Eastern Churches is inducing more and more Syrian priests to return to their country to help people who suffer.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem talks about his meeting with the Pope. "The Holy Father is eager to visit the land where it all began." Syria's civil war, Israeli occupation and economic hardships are pushing more and more Christians to leave the Middle East. The patriarch mentions the work of new parishes set up in refugee camps in Jordan to help Christians and Muslims, and makes an appeal to pray for peace.

Ali, a young Syrian student and 30 other fellow Muslims were in St. Peter’s Square to greet the new pontiff. The appeal to the pope to push for reconciliation among factions fighting in Syria.

The civil war in Syrian and Iranian threats have spooked the nations of the Arabian Peninsula. In just one year, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman have spent about US$ 40 billion to upgrade their military. Their purchase range from Germany's Leonard tanks to the latest US F-15 fighters. For German expert, Western nations want to make the Gulf States more stable and autonomous from a military point of view.

A growing presence of Islamic extremists in Cyrenaica. Sister Celeste Biasolo, former superior of the Convent of the Holy Family of Spoleto in Derna, speaks of a widespread climate of fear, which affects the Libyan people. The monastery was closed in October because of threats from a group of extremists. "The people of Derna miss us and often contact us imploring us to return."

The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel met yesterday in Jerusalem in a plenary session. For Zion Evrony, the two sides have made significant progress on many points of the Fundamental Agreement. There are reasons to be optimistic about a quick resolution to the negotiations.

Issam Bishara, head of the Syrian branch of the Papal agency that aids Catholic churches and the people of the Middle East (CNEWA) speaks: "The Christian way of life is at risk, and refugees in Lebanon are not entitled to help from the International community ". CNEWA and the local Church help over 4 thousand families who are victims of bombings, kidnappings and harassment by Islamic extremists.

Fleeing the war they have walked hundreds of kilometers and are now in danger of dying of hunger, thirst and burns. Many refugees pregnant women and young mothers. The story of Sister Alessandra Fumagalli, an Italian Comboni and director of Karak Hospital. 150 km from Amman, the clinic is the only one able to provide help to these people. Sister Alessandra: "We want the world to know of their existence which is likely to go unnoticed"

For Ignatius Joseph III Younan, a Christian presence in Syria is essential for confessional reconciliation between Alawis and Sunnis. Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for Aleppo university blast that killed 87. The violence of Muslim extremists and government forces could wipe out Syria forever. Patriarch calls on young Christians to stay in the Middle East to be witnesses of peace.