Pope repeats call for nuclear disarmament

At the end of yesterday's general audience in St Peter's Square, the Holy Father reminded those present that the eighth Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty began work in New York on 3 May.

"Progress towards combined and secure nuclear disarmament is closely connected to the full and rapid fulfilment of the relative international commitments", said the Pope. "Peace, in fact, rests on trust and on respect for promises made, not only on the balance of power. In this spirit I encourage the initiatives that seek progressive disarmament and areas free of nuclear weapons, with a view to their complete elimination from the planet.

"Finally, I exhort all those participating in the New York meeting to overcome historical conditioning and patiently to weave a political and economic web of peace in order to help integral human development and peoples' authentic aspirations".

Source: VIS