Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Associated Press
Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Pope Francis denounced arms dealers and appealed Saturday for an urgent end to the Syrian civil war as he began his three-day trip to the Middle East with an emotional meeting with refugees from Syria and Iraq who have fled to Jordan.

Francis deviated from his prepared remarks to make a strong plea for peace during his first day in Jordan, praying for God to “convert those who seek war, those who make and sell weapons!”

“We all want peace, but looking at the tragedy of war, looking at the wounded, seeing so many people who left their homeland who were forced to go away, I ask, ‘Who sells weapons to these people to make war?'” he asked. “This is the root of evil, the hatred, the love of money.”

His tough words echoed the diatribe he delivered a few weeks ago against mobsters in Italy, denouncing their activities and praying that they turn away from evil to embrace a more dignified life.

The appeal during a meeting with war refugees came just moments after the pontiff bent down at the Jordan River, where some believe was the site of Jesus’ baptism, and touched the waters. And it capped an intense day at the start of his first visit as pope to the Holy Land.

“Vive il papa,” a group of schoolchildren waving Vatican flags shouted as the pope arrived earlier on Saturday at the royal palace for private talks with King Abdullah II, Queen Rania and their children.

Francis thanked Jordan for its “generous welcome” to Syrian refugees and called for an urgent resolution to the civil war next door.

“I urge the international community not to leave Jordan alone in the task of meeting the humanitarian emergency caused by the arrival of so great a number of refugees, but to continue and even increase its support and assistance,” he said.

Jordan last month opened a third refugee camp for Syrians, evidence of the strains the conflict is creating for the country. It’s currently hosting 600,000 registered Syrian refugees, or 10 percent of its population, but Jordanian officials estimate the real number is closer to 1.3 million.

Francis saw the refugee exodus firsthand, meeting with some 600 Syrian and Iraqi refugees and disabled children at a church in Bethany beyond the Jordan.

Nazik Malko, a Syrian Orthodox Christian refugee from Maaloula who was on hand for the visit, welcomed the pope’s message.

“We hope that all parties will listen to His Holiness to leave weapons aside in order to restore peace in the whole world,” he said.

Francis also called for peace and reconciliation during an afternoon Mass at Amman’s windswept international stadium, urging the faithful to “put aside our grievances and divisions” for the sake of peace and unity.

Enormous blue balloons in the shape of a rosary, complete with a blue balloon crucifix, rose into the sky.

“Peace isn’t something which can be bought; it is a gift to be sought patiently and to be crafted through the actions, great and small, of our everyday lives,” Francis said. The crowd, which the Vatican had estimated could exceed 25,000, gave him a warm welcome as he zipped around the stadium in his open-topped car, kissing children and youngsters who came up to him.

Christians make up about 5 percent of Syria’s population, but assaults on predominantly Christian towns by rebels fighting President Bashar Assad’s rule have fueled fears among the country’s religious minorities about the growing role of Islamic extremists in the conflict. Christians believe they are being targeted in part because of anti-Christian sentiment among Sunni Muslim extremists and partly as punishment for what is seen as their support for Assad.

On Saturday, Francis sought to encourage those who had decided to remain in the region, lauding Jordan for welcoming refugees and ensuring that all Christians in the kingdom could freely profess their faith.

“Religious freedom is in fact a fundamental human right, and I cannot fail to express my hope that it will be upheld throughout the Middle East and the entire world,” he said in an opening speech to Abdullah and Jordan’s religious and political leaders.

In his remarks, Abdullah said Christian communities were an “integral part” of the Middle East and that he had sought to uphold “the true spirit of Islam, the Islam of peace,” which extends to protecting holy sites for Christians and Muslims alike. He urged the pope to use his “humanity and wisdom” to help end the conflict in Syria and to encourage leaders to take the courageous steps needed to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The status quo of ‘justice denied’ to the Palestinians; fear of the other; fear of change; these are the way to mutual ruin, not mutual respect,” he said.

Francis has a packed schedule for the three-day visit. He will visit a Palestinian refugee camp on Sunday, when he travels from Amman directly to the West Bank city of Bethlehem. It’s the first time a pope has landed in the West Bank rather than Tel Aviv first — a nod by the Vatican to the “Palestinian state.”

Technically, the main reason for the trip is for Francis and the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians to mark the 50th anniversary of a historic meeting in Jerusalem by their predecessors which ended 900 years of Catholic-Orthodox estrangement. That highlight will come on Sunday, when Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I preside over a joint prayer service in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

Francis will spend Monday in Jerusalem, visiting the grand mufti of Jerusalem and Israel’s chief rabbis, albeit separately. He’ll also pray at the Western Wall and visit the Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem.

The Vatican spokesman had suggested that with such a grueling schedule, Francis might not have the strength for a press conference on the return flight from Israel on Monday night. Francis, 77, who has only one full lung and has battled a cold and fatigue that forced him to cancel some recent appointments, set the record straight at the start of the trip.

“One of you said a press conference wouldn’t be possible because this is a ‘deathly’ trip,” he told reporters. “But returning home, I intend to have one.”

He then greeted reporters one by one — and even posed for a “selfie.”

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Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripho

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis visits Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis, center, along with Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, right, listens to prayers during a service with different Christian denomination congregates at John the Baptist church near Bethany beyond the Jordan river, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis conducts a mass with different Christian denomination congregates at John the Baptist church near Bethany beyond the Jordan river, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis lays his hand on an ill boy for blessing, after finishing a mass with different Christian denomination congregates at John the Baptist church near the Bethany beyond the Jordan river, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis, center, makes the sign of the cross at the holy water at the Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. Francis was accompanied by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Queen Rania, Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis touches the holy water as he visits the Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. Francis was accompanied by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Queen Rania , Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope's schedule for final day of Holy Land visitMohammad Hannon

Pope’s schedule for final day of Holy Land visit

Pope Francis prays at the holy water as he visits the Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. Francis was accompanied by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Queen Rania , Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripRaad Adayleh

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis touches a gild’s head held up by a man at Amman’s international stadium in Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripHOPD

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis is welcomed upon his arrival in Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripMohammad Hannon

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis, second right, accompanied by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Queen Rania, Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, visits the Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, in South Shuna, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripRaad Adayleh

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis holds a mass at Amman’s international stadium in Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Pope lands in Bethlehem, nod to Palestinian stateRaad Adayleh

Pope lands in Bethlehem, nod to Palestinian state

Pope Francis waves at audience members after his arrival at Amman’s international stadium in Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripRaad Adayleh

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

People hold up children to Pope Francis after his arrival at Amman’s international stadium in Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis called on Saturday for an “urgent” end to the Syrian civil war and lamented the refugee crisis it has spawned as he opened a three-day trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate a mass in Amman’s International Stadium, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripYousef Allan

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Jordanian Royal Palace, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, center right, with his wife Queen Rania, standing behind him, talks with Pope Francis as their four children listen at the royal palace in Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Yousef Allan, Jordanian Royal Palace)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis celebrates a mass in Amman’s International Stadium, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis celebrates a mass in Amman’s International Stadium, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis celebrates mass in Amman’s International Stadium, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

A young girl waves Jordanian flags as Pope Francis meets refugees and disabled youths in Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis is flanked by a royal house representatives upon his arrival at Amman’s airport, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripHOPD

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis steps out of a plane upon his arrival in Amman, Jordan, for a three-day trip to the Middle East including the West Bank and Israel, at Rome’s Fiumicino international airport, Saturday, May 24, 2014. On the first leg of his trip, Pope Francis will get a firsthand look at the plight of Syrian refugees and witness the toll the civil war next door is taking on Jordan. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis meets refugees and disabled youths in Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripHOPD

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis speaks to reporters aboard the papal flight to Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At right is Vatican spokesperson Rev. Federico Lombardi. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Young people attend as Pope Francis celebrates a mass in Amman’s International Stadium, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripHOPD

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis greets journalists aboard the papal flight to Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At right is Vatican spokesperson Rev. Federico Lombardi. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis greets journalists aboard the papal flight on his way to Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is heading to Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripNasser Nasser

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Palestinian workers set up a big banner featuring Jesus’ birth with former Popes, from left, Pope Paul VI, John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for a stage prepared for Pope Francis to celebrate a mass at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus’ birth, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pope Francis’ trip to the Middle East offers a host of symbolically important — and potentially problematic — moments, from the gifts he’ll receive to the venues he’ll visit and words he will pronounce. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripRiccardo De Luca

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis waves to reporters as he boards a plane to Amman, Jordan, for a three-day trip to the Middle East including the West Bank and Israel, at Rome’s Fiumicino international airport, Saturday, May 24, 2014. On the first leg of his trip, Pope Francis will get a firsthand look at the plight of Syrian refugees and witness the toll the civil war next door is taking on Jordan. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripRaad Adayleh

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Jordanians and Christians from other nationalities and denominations congregate at Amman’s International Stadium, waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis where he will conduct a mass prayer, in Amman, Jordan. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis meets refugees and disabled youths in Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast tripAndrew Medichini

Pope blasts arms dealers at start of Mideast trip

Pope Francis prays in fron of the river Jordan in Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 24, 2014. The pontiff is in Jordan on the first of a three day trip to the Middle East that will also take him to the West Bank and Israel. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)