Pope: politicians must take responsibility for peace
Pope John Paul II yesterday repeated his call to the international political community to show courage and responsibility in confronting the crises afflicting the world. Receiving in audience the new Libyan ambassador to the Holy See, the he spoke of "the uncertainties of the current international situation, marked by a profound destabilisation of relations between nations under the pressure of events in Iraq, but also starting from the unjustifiable and preoccupying escalation of international terrorism". The Pontiff added that the Holy See will not cease "pushing for a return to the stabilisation of international order, thanks to the recognition of the regulatory role of the international organisations, particularly the United Nations and to the reinforcement of decisional and action means, as to reduce the hotbeds of tension and guarantee peace". Pope John Paul II also renewed his appeal to all political representatives involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for a return to the primate of politics; the Pontiff reiterated that "lasting peace cannot be re-established in the Middle East without political courage, without the firm determination to recognise the rights of all the sides involved, also those of rivals, to undertake a path of peace in respect of justice" and there will be no solution to the conflict if it is not accepted "to resort to mutual forgiveness, to heal the terrible wounds inflicted by the reciprocal violence for many years and with so many wasted lives". Source: VIS