Pope Francis: I am begging for a ceasefire in Syria, above all because of the children trapped under the bloody bombings

The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, called today for an immediate ceasefire in Syria, at least long enough to evacuate civilians, especially children, victims of the bombing.

"With a sense of urgency, I repeat my appeal, I implore the authorities with all my strength to immediately effect a ceasefire, that it be imposed and respected at least for as long as it takes to evacuate civilians, above all children who are still trapped under the bloody bombardments," said the Pope .

Addressing thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome, the head of the Roman Catholic Church emphasized his closeness to all the victims of the inhumane conflict in Syria.

Yesterday, at least 25 civilians were killed in the bombardment of the rebel parts of Aleppo, the strongest in the last few days, and five schoolchildren were killed in a rebel attack in the south of Syria.

On the diplomatic front, the international community still fails to agree on stopping the bloodshed in the rebel-held parts of Aleppo, where more than 250.000 people have been under siege for several months. That city has become one of the symbols of the war that has been tearing Syria apart since March 2011.