Bishops in Aleppo, Syria have pledged to remain with their faithful despite the city’s capture by jihadist forces. Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio in Syria, stated that the bishops, priests, and religious leaders will stay in Aleppo, providing comfort and support to the population during this uncertain and difficult time. The city’s capture by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist faction linked to al-Qaeda, has resulted in significant loss of life, with 571 people killed, including 98 civilians.
The Christian community in Syria has faced immense challenges, including persecution, displacement, and emigration. The number of Christians in Syria has drastically decreased from 1.5 million in 2011 to around 300,000 in 2022. Cardinal Zenari expressed concern about the future of Syria, stating that the population is tired after 14 years of civil war and that the international community must work to prevent conflicts rather than just resolving them.
The situation in Aleppo is dire, with people living in fear, and government offices and the army nowhere to be seen. Displaced people are arriving in Damascus and other coastal areas, adding to the already significant refugee crisis, with around 13 million Syrians displaced, more than half of the population. Cardinal Zenari hopes that the Jubilee 2025 will bring a sense of hope to the people of Syria, who have been suffering for 14 years.