Pontiff-Departure
Damascus 8-4-2001
His Holiness Pope John Paul 11 left Damascus on Tuesday concluding a four-day visit to Syria where he completed His pilgrimage by following the steps of Saint Paul the Messenger. For me, as a Syrian Journalist, I have had the honour to accompany His Holiness during this historic visit; it has been one, if not the most important and interesting of my career. Among the memorable moments were inside the Omayyad Mosque: luckily, I was so close to His Holiness while praying beside the Tomb of John the Baptist, sacred for the followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; that very moment I felt a strong light coming from the face of His Holiness penetrating deep inside my spirit! Indeed my words do not help me to describe that joyful feeling. Of no less importance for me, was inside the destroyed Church of Qunaitra, my city of birth, so powerful were the words of His Holiness for peace. In His farewell speech at Damascus International Airport where President Bashar al-Assad was present to see him off, His Holiness expressed gratitude to President Assad and members of the government who welcomed him opened their hearts and extended help to him. He pointed out that the Syrian people are renowned for their Hospitality and made him feel at HOME during the days of his pilgrimage.
He also thanked the Christian community and in particular Their Beautitude the atriarchs and Bishops for the way in which they have accompanied him on his pilgrimage. He underlined that he would cherish in his memory his visit to Umayyad Mosque and the courteous welcome he received from the Ministry of Awqaf and the Muslim clergy. He indicated that he is prays that Syria's long tradition of harmonious relations between Christians and Muslims will endure and even become stronger, as a testimony for the world that religions as adoration of Almighty God, sows the seed of peace in people's hearts. He stressed that Syria is a land with a glorious past and through Difficult circumstances has achieved a great deal. He added that Syria is a vital presence in the life of this whole region, whose peoples have suffered the tragedy of war and conflict. But for the door of peace to open, fundamental issues of truth and justice, rights and responsibilities must be resolved. The world looks to the Middle East with hope and concern, expectantly awaiting every sign of constructive dialogue. He indicated that many serious obstacles remain, yet the first step towards peace must be steadfast conviction that a solution is possible within the parameters of international law and the resolutions of the United nations. The Pontiff appealed to all the peoples involved, and to their political to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail. Only a just peace can bring the conditions needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the people of the region have a right.
For his part ,President Assad delivered a speech in which he expressed deep satisfaction over the outcome of the Pontiff's historical visit to Syria ,the cradle of civilization and heavenly religions. The President underlined that the Syrian people and the people in the region be them Moslems or Christians the human feelings of the Pontiff and highly and highly appreciated His words about justice and international legitimacy and the U.N. resolutions as well as self-determination. He added, regrettingly there are those in the world who still fear mentioning of historical facts and UN. resolutions and accuse the
Semites with anti-semeticism ,and adopt double standards using the logic of power and arrogance, instead of the logic of right. The President stressed that all this will not change the conviction of the Arab people. He concluded by saying '' while we are seeing you off we will keep remembering your historical visit and your blessed steps on the land of history."
Mohamad Abdo Al Ibrahim