Syria: Pope's donation brings hope to young families

Source: Vatican Radio/InBlu

Franciscan Fr Ibrahim Alsabagh, pastor of the Latin rite St Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Aleppo, says a recent donation from Pope Francis and the Roman Curia of €100,000 will go to couples and young families in need.

"When I heard about the Pope's donation I immediately thought about the hundreds of couples and young families who have decided to get married despite the crisis in Syria," Fr Ibrahim told the Italian Catholic radio station, InBlu.

The Pope made the donation at the end of his Spiritual Exercises last week in Ariccia with the Roman Curia, where he celebrated a Mass for Syria before returning to the Vatican. The donation was distributed by the Papal Almoner.

Fr Alsabagh said young couples are "suffering greatly from poverty and continue to go hungry. The first thing that came to mind was a project to aid these young couples of Aleppo in any way possible."

"This is a great sign of hope for us," he said. "This money will go to supporting these persons and will be used for food packages, paying utility bills, health coverage, and all the needs of pregnant women and newborn babies."

Aleppo was retaken by government forces in December last year after four years of rebel control.

This month marks six years since the beginning of Syria's civil war.