Pope arrives in Damascus
Syria-Vatican, Politics, 5/5/2001

Pope John Paul II arrived in Damascus today afternoon in a visit to Syria which will last for four days. He was welcomed at the Damascus airport by President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian state officials and men of religion representing all Syrian religious communities.

In a welcome speech the President delivered at the airport's honorary hall the President said the following: Your holiness Pope John II. I welcome you greatly in he name of the Syrian people, and in the name of the Syrian government wishing you good stay in our country which is pleased at your visit.

Your holiness; Visiting Syria, you are in he land of history and the country which embraced the oldest civilizations in the world. A country which was a minaret of knowledge which lit for humanity during several centuries during which the world, in most of its parts, inspired by its light.

From Syria which has protected Christianity after Jesus Christ, Saint "Paul" carried, together with the other followers of the Christ the new religion to the world calling for fraternity, justice and equity.

From Syria Islam has been spread to the world, calling for justice, amity and equity among people. No discrimination among people but in commitment to the faith.

Today, as you are a dear guest for people whose all members pray for the One God Almighty and inspire from him help, living united by amity among themselves for the prosperity of their country and proud of their ancient heritage and the numerous civilizations of their ancestors, who left a rich legacy made of Syria a country of tolerance and amity. A resort for repressed and a meeting place for divine religions which were culminated throughout history without cessation.

And an evidence on that is the numerous worship and archaeological sites spread in various parts of the country and the investiture of 8 Syrian Popes on the Papal Chair in the Vatican and the existence of three Oriental patriarchies in damascus.

The God Almighty sent us messengers and prophets for us to avoid us from being misled and leading us to the right path. The will of the God stated that their path was of struggle and suffering for the sake of enhancing principles they devoted themselves to. All of us know much about the sufferings of the Christ at the hand who stood against divine and humanitarian principles and the values advocated by the Christ, foremost being amity, tolerance and equality among people. The Christ wants his disciples to continue disseminating these principles and to protect people from what he had suffered.

We are committed to just and comprehensive peace provides for the restoration of lands to their owners, according to UN security Council resolutions, the return back of the refugees to their homeland and the establishment of the independent state with Jerusalem as a capital. Our rights are approved by divine legislation, the history and international resolutions.

We, your holiness, do appreciate your efforts for the sake of humanity, for the dissemination of love among people and your defense of the oppressed. We feel that in your prayers in which you recall the suffering of the Christ you will remember that there are people in Lebanon, the Golan and Palestine suffer repression and oppression and we expect you to stand by them against the oppressors to restore what was taken from them. Once again, I welcome you in Syria.

In his speech the Pope said: My Jubilee pilgrimage on the second millennium of the birth of the Christ, has actually started last year with the celebration of the anniversary of Ibrahim al-Khalil who was called upon by the God Almighty to a land which is not far from here in the land of Harran.

Then I was able to travel to Sinai Mount where the ten commandments were given to Moses and then my unforgettable visit was made to the holy lands where the Christ had his message and established the church. Now my mind and heart goes to the person of Saul, of the Tarsous, the Great Saint Paul whose life has been changed for ever on the way to damascus. My message as an archbishop for Rome is linked, in particular to the testimony of Saint Paul whose martyrdom was culminated in Rome.

How could I forgot the great contributions made by Syria and the neighboring areas in the history of Christianity. Here flourishing groups lived since the dawn of Christianity in the Syrian desert, where Christianity has flourished. Syrian names like Saints Afram, Saint Yuhanna, the Damascene stay even carved in the Christian memory. Besides many of my predecessors were born here in this region My mind also goes to the great cultural impact of Islam in Syria which during the era of the Umayyad caliphs reaches the remote coasts of the Mediterranean. Today, in a world of increased interaction there is a new spirit for dialogue and co-operation between Christian and Muslim, Together we do recognize the Only God.

When the word peace echoed in our heart, how come we do not think of the conflicts which have been striking since a time in the Middle East region. You have asserted wisely, Mr President, that just and comprehensive peace is in the interests of Syria.Under your leadership Syria will spare no efforts to work for greater co-operation between the peoples of the region for the interests not only for your country, but also for other Arab countries and to the international community as a whole. As I expressed openly in other occasions it is ripe time to return back to the principles of international legitimacy.

Among which I mention preventing taking the lands of others by means of force, the right of people to self determination and honoring UN resolutions and Geneva agreements.

We all know that genuine peace can be only made in a new position of understanding and respect among peoples to follow the three religions of Abraham;the political and spiritual leaders in the region have to ensure step by step and in a courageous vision suitable for attaining progress, which is the right for their people after all this conflict amid these conditions.

Mr. President, the generous invitation you extended to me together with your government and people and the warm welcome I received from them are an evidence on our joint belief that peace and co-operation are our real desire. I do deeply appreciate your hospitality which is of a very special kind on this blessed lands. May the Almighty God give you happiness and peace and prosperity for Syria. peace upon you. The Pope was welcomed by high ranking Syria officials and was also welcomed by Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited in Damascus and crowded number of Syrians who chanted Slogans in Italian and Arabic languages commemorating him. He then moved from the airport to the Papal embassy in Damascus.

Previous Stories:
  The Pope to hold a mass at the Damascus Abbasids' Stadium   (5/4/2001)
  Syrian information minister: the Pope's visit to Quneitra aims at tracing Israeli crimes   (5/1/2001)
  A Syrian diplomatic campaign during the Pope's visit to Syria   (4/30/2001)

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