Pope expresses anguish and concern over Afghanistan attacks

Pope John Paul II spoke of his "anguish and concern" over the start of the American and British offensive on Afghanistan. Speaking during a gathering for a beatification ceremony in St Peter's Square this morning, he said: "First I would like to share with you and entrust to the Lord the anguish and concern that rises within us in this delicate moment of international life." Later, after saying prayers of thanksgiving for the "luminous examples of sainthood", the Pope invited everyone to pray for peace. In Latin, he said: "Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris." He then repeated in Italian: "Oh Lord concede peace in our days."