Pope calls for dialogue and prayers to combat terrorism

There is no clash of civilisations in the world only "small fanatical groups, " the Holy Father told a group of young people and journalists in the Italian alpine village where he is spending his summer holidays. In this context, he stressed the importance of "dialogue between the three religions that recognise Abraham as father." Asked about the July 7 attacks in London, the Holy Father said that if it is true that "terrorism is irrational" and therefore impervious to signs, then dialogue can at least "be one element, a cry of alarm, an invitation to abandon terrorism." The Pope also underlined the need "to pray that the desire, which exists throughout the world and is clearly against all violence, may prevail and grow stronger." Speaking about his vacation in the Valle d'Aosta, the Holy Father said: "It is a marvellous holiday, everything here is beautiful, it is a paradise." Benedict XVI arrived in his chalet at the locality of Les Combes on July 11 and will remain until July 28 when he will travel to the pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo south of Rome. Source: VIS/ICN