Pope to Syria: respect people's "legitimate" hopes

Pope Benedict XVI has called on the Syrian leadership to respond urgently to the "legitimate" demands of its people who have been facing an increasingly bloody crackdown by President Bashar Assad's regime.

Benedict called for all sides, but especially Syria's political leaders, to enter into talks to end the uprising. Speaking Sunday from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, Benedict said he was increasingly concerned about the "dramatic and increasing episodes of violence" in Syria.

He said: "It is urgent to respond to the legitimate hopes of the diverse components of the nation, as well as the hopes of the international community."

More than 5,400 people are believed to have been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March.