Pope urges for peace talks in Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

Expressing his concern over the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Pope Francis on Sunday urged for peace talks in order to ensure that people residing in the country can live in peace, harmony, and security.

“I join in the unanimous worry about the situation in Afghanistan. I ask you to pray along with me to the God of peace so that the din of weapons ends and that solutions can be found around a table of dialogue,” the Pope said, addressing the pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square. 

“Only this way can the martyred population of that countrymen, women, elderly, and children – return to their homes and live in peace and security in full reciprocal respect,” he added, the Associated Press reported.

The statements from the head of the Catholic Church comes after the Taliban forces took over the entirety of Afghanistan and entered the capital, capping a lightning offensive across the country.

Also Read: Hopes of a generation dashed: What Taliban rule means for Afghan youth

The Pope also took to Twitter to convey his message over the war-stricken situation.

“#LetUsPray for Afghanistan, so that the clamour of weapons might cease and solutions can be found at the table of dialogue,” he urged his followers.  

In Afghanistan, reportedly, the number of Christians is very low. Nearly all of them reside as foreigners in embassies or as aid workers.

Meanwhile, footage showed President Ashraf Ghani, who has reportedly resigned from his post, boarding a plane for Tajikistan on Sunday and fleeing from the country as Taliban insurgents remained camped on the outskirts of Kabul amid the group’s talks with government officials at the Presidential Palace for a “peaceful transition of power.”

Also Read: Afghanistan coup: 10 points to know

The Taliban’s retake comes after they were expelled by the United States 20 years ago following the September 11 attacks.

An interim government run by Taliban fighters has been announced following negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators. Reportedly, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a prominent Taliban leader, would lead the next Afghan government.