Pope Francis, in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the G20 conference, urged world leaders to "lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution" in Syria. The United States and France are considering military action against Damascus in response to a chemical attack on Aug. 21 that killed hundreds of people.
The Vatican released the letter as the Holy See briefed ambassadors about the pope's initiatives, including an unprecedented international day of prayer for peace in Syria which he has called for this Saturday.
The U.S. and French envoys were among some 70 envoys at Thursday's meeting with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican's foreign minister.