Syria conflict 'will know no victors' without peace: pope

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI called Monday for a ceasefire and "constructive dialogue" in Syria, warning that there will be no victors should the violent conflict drag on further.

"I renew my appeal for a ceasefire and the inauguration as quickly as possible of a constructive dialogue aimed at putting an end to a conflict which will know no victors but only vanquished if it continues, leaving behind it nothing but a field of ruins," he said.