Pope Francis's envoy tells Syria's Assad of concern for Idlib's civilians

Reuters
Updated

VATICAN CITY, July 22 (Reuters) - Pope Francis's envoy told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a meeting on Monday of the Pope's concerns for the humanitarian situation in northwest Syria, a Vatican spokesman said in a statement.

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson gave Assad a letter in which the pontiff expressed "deep concern" over the situation in Syria, and especially for the civilian population in Idlib province.

Idlib is the last rebel-held region in Syria and remains under the control mostly of Islamist militants, who are under growing pressure from Syrian troops and their allies. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by Kevin Liffey)