Syria

Leo XIV has approved the election of the new leader of the Franciscan presence in the Holy Places, following in the footsteps of the saint of Assisi. Italian, 55 years old, the new custos takes over from Francesco Patton who has reached the end of his mandate. For the Minister General of the Friars Minor Massimo Fusarelli, "The particular context of conflict and violence” in the Holy Land and in the Middle East “makes our mission in these places even more urgent.”

This afternoon, the funerals of the victims of the massacre were presided over by Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi. The Christian community is still in shock, entire families decimated. Syrian authorities have arrested six people linked to the attack and promise justice. But the climate of mistrust remains and the desire to flee in a ‘security vacuum’ is growing.

The government blames the Islamic State group for yesterday’s attack that left dozens of Christian dead, but amid the uncertainty no one has yet claimed responsibility. A source spoke to AsiaNews complaining that the authorities are busy implementing the Sharia and signing deals with Qatar and Turkey rather than “building a real nation”. Father Jihad (Mar Musa) warns against falling into the trap of attacking the country’s reconstruction work. The Ordinaries of the Holy Land slammed the “barbaric act” that caused “profound shock and deep revulsion”.

Developed by Iran for 20 years as a deterrent, the "Axis of Resistance" is keeping a low profile in this war. From the Iraqi prime minister to the religious leader al-Sadr, the order is to "silence" the "reckless voices" that want to start a war. At least 20 Muslim and Arab nations sign a statement for a nuclear-free Middle East "without exceptions" (a reference to Israel).

On the eve of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Israel launched one of its most impressive attacks. Aoun tried in vain to stop the military operation while Israel’s Defence Minister issued new threats. Hezbollah is using Iranian-style "slow diplomacy". Impatience is growing in Israel over US policies in the region.

Jomana Solman, project manager for the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, told AsiaNews that no remains have been found where the Italian priest was abducted in 2013. The organisation continues to work on mass graves in northeastern Syria, but identifying remains is complex and expensive. A recent spate of fake news has fuelled hope among the families of the missing.

At present, nothing is certain, the apostolic nuncio to Syria told AsiaNews after some reports began circulating regarding the possible discovery of a body in a mass grave near Raqqa, dressed in religious clothing like those of the Jesuit clergyman. Even the family has doubts. For Bishop Mourad, “There is nothing certain, except that the figure of Fr Paolo is still very important and alive among Syrian Christians.”

Trump’s announcement could trigger economic “detente” and encourage the return of Syrian refugees. Reconstruction, trade and banking links between Beirut and Damascus could be revived. In the background looms the possibility of normalisation with Israel. Walid Joumblatt reminds us of the Arab world’s key condition: “Peace in exchange for territory.”

People in Syria celebrate with fireworks the announcement by the US president. The new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who met Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is seeking international legitimacy, while countries in the region are increasingly interested in restarting trade. But more than 10 years of embargo have left deep economic and social scars that will be hard to heal.

The situation has not yet stabilised in the areas where fighting broke out recently between Druze militias and Islamist groups. The Christian village of Khabab was not directly involved, but faces an equally precarious situation due to drought and economic deprivation. The war “didn't end just because the regime was overthrown,” said Sister Mona of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne Anthida Thouret, speaking to AsiaNews. For her, “our hope is in the Lord, not in men.”

A hundred people have died in clashes between Druze and Sunni militias near Damascus and Suwayda. The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze calls for international intervention. In Lebanon, groups hostile to Syria’s Islamist regime hold protest rallies. Jumblatt announces agreement in principle with Damascus. At dawn Israel struck near the Syrian presidential palace as a warning.

The apostolic nuncio in Damascus - who turns 80 next January - is among the cardinals called to choose Bergoglio's successor. Despite the war and violence, he has never left his diplomatic mission or the Christian community. The ‘poverty bomb’, the tragedy of sanctions and the issue of the disappeared, which also affects the Syrian Church.