There were major efforts this week to prevent a US military strike against Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry began meeting with Russian officials to explore a possible agreement with Syria to turn over its chemical weapons to international supervision. Earlier, President Obama maintained his support for a strike but asked Congress to delay voting on it so the diplomatic talks could take place. Religious groups around the world, meanwhile, ramped up their opposition to US military action. At the Vatican, thousands joined Pope Francis at a prayer vigil for peace, and in Washington, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, head of the US bishops conference, warned against a military strike:
Cardinal Timothy Dolan: “We’ve learned the hard way that violence spurs more violence, and all the time it’s the innocent people, many of them, yes, suffering Christians and other vulnerable minorities, who pay the worst price.”
