How sad it is that Christians around the world and particularly those who are being persecuted by radical Islam now look with hope to the President of Russia for their defense, rather than to the United States.
Pope Francis has sent the following letter to President Putin in his capacity as President of the Russian Federation and as the presiding host and President of the G20 summit now underway. Let us pray that President Putin can restrain America's drone-happy President from any further murder of women and children and his threatened intervention in a civil war in which there is no right side and which does not concern the security interests of the United States.
To His Excellency
Mr Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
In the course of this year, you have the honour and the responsibility of
presiding over the Group of the twenty largest economies in the world. I am
aware that the Russian Federation has participated in this group from the moment
of its inception and has always had a positive role to play in the promotion of
good governance of the world’s finances, which have been deeply affected by the
crisis of 2008.
In today’s highly interdependent context, a global financial framework with its
own just and clear rules is required in order to achieve a more equitable and
fraternal world, in which it is possible to overcome hunger, ensure decent
employment and housing for all, as well as essential healthcare. Your
presidency of the G20 this year has committed itself to consolidating the reform
of the international financial organizations and to achieving a consensus on
financial standards suited to today’s circumstances. However, the world economy
will only develop if it allows a dignified way of life for all human beings,
from the eldest to the unborn child, not just for citizens of the G20 member
states but for every inhabitant of the earth, even those in extreme social
situations or in the remotest places.
From this standpoint, it is clear that, for the world’s peoples, armed conflicts
are always a deliberate negation of international harmony, and create profound
divisions and deep wounds which require many years to heal. Wars are a concrete
refusal to pursue the great economic and social goals that the international
community has set itself, as seen, for example, in the Millennium Development
Goals. Unfortunately, the many armed conflicts which continue to afflict the
world today present us daily with dramatic images of misery, hunger, illness and
death. Without peace, there can be no form of economic development. Violence
never begets peace, the necessary condition for development.
The meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the twenty most powerful
economies, with two-thirds of the world’s population and ninety per cent of
global GDP, does not have international security as its principal purpose.
Nevertheless, the meeting will surely not forget the situation in the Middle
East and particularly in Syria. It is regrettable that, from the very beginning
of the conflict in Syria, one-sided interests have prevailed and in fact
hindered the search for a solution that would have avoided the senseless
massacre now unfolding. The leaders of the G20 cannot remain indifferent to the
dramatic situation of the beloved Syrian people which has lasted far too long,
and even risks bringing greater suffering to a region bitterly tested by strife
and needful of peace. To the leaders present, to each and every one, I make a
heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting
positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution. Rather,
let there be a renewed commitment to seek, with courage and determination, a
peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation of the parties, unanimously
supported by the international community. Moreover, all governments have the
moral duty to do everything possible to ensure humanitarian assistance to those
suffering because of the conflict, both within and beyond the country’s borders.
Mr President, in the hope that these thoughts may be a valid spiritual
contribution to your meeting, I pray for the successful outcome of the G20’s
work on this occasion. I invoke an abundance of blessings upon the Summit in
Saint Petersburg, upon the participants and the citizens of the member states,
and upon the work and efforts of the 2013 Russian Presidency of the G20.
While requesting your prayers, I take this opportunity to assure you, Mr
President, of my highest consideration.
From the Vatican, 4 September 2013
FRANCIS
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