Pope Francis today called for "mutual respect" between religions in Syria, three days after Syrian opposition factions toppled President Bashar al-Assad, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

During his weekly general audience, he said, "I pray that the Syrian people may live in peace and security in their land.

He affirmed the "importance of different religions walking together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of that nation, which has suffered from many years of war.