The highway between Aleppo and Damascus is again under government control following the advance of the Syrian army which people consider a major step towards a more hopeful future, Chaldean Bishop Audo said last week.

According to Asia News, the prelate, who is a former president of Caritas Syria, noted that control of the crucial road, the reopening of the airport and the flight of the last jihadis are “positive signs”.

In Aleppo “parties and celebrations are taking place in the streets and squares; an atmosphere of joy can be felt everywhere.” The feeling of change, he emphasises, “is real. Now it will be essential to speed up reconstruction”, to which Christians want to contribute with their state-building role.

The pontiff “prays so much for us and really makes everyone feel how important Syria is, including for regional stability in the Middle East.

Moreover, the Christian presence is important as testimony of the Christian role in the region and in view of a relationship (of dialogue) with Muslims.”

As Asia News noted, Bishop Audo calls on Christians to “Pray for peace and stability in the region, for the protection of Syria and the Christian presence in the region, because, in this context, not only are economic and political interests at stake, but so is very essence of our community.”

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