From 13 to 17 January, just under one month after the Russian-backed forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reclaimed Aleppo, two Franciscan friars, Fr Luke Gregory and Fr Bruno Varriano, drove from Lebanon to Syria’s capital Damascus, then on to its ancient second city.

Aleppo had been divided into rebel and government parts since 2012, when rebels took hold of the city’s eastern districts. That set the stage for more than four years of brutal fighting and, ultimately, government bombardment that laid waste to eastern neighbourhoods. Here is Fr Luke’s account of their visit.

We stayed a night in our friary in Damascus. It was with great satisfaction that we saw how our friars were taking care of the local people, Christians and Muslims alike. Fr Raimondo, one of our friars, with a religious Franciscan, Sr Yola, has set up a home to receive cancer patients from all over Syria who need treatment in the hospitals in Damascus. They have also opened a creche for children. It was very edifying to see these works of mercy.

Then we drove to Aleppo. So much destruction: whole suburbs and neighbourhoods completely wiped out; spent missiles littering the streets; only a few hours of water and electricity each day.
Yet despite all this, there is a sense of hope. The friars and sisters remained faithful to their missions during the bombings.