Pope prays for success of Middle East Peace conference
At the end of the Mass celebrated with the 23 new Cardinals yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI urged everyone to join in the day of prayer organised by US bishops and called for the gift of "wisdom and courage" for all those who take part in the event. The Pope said: "Let us pray so that God may bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians and the gift of wisdom to all the participants when they meet for the Israeli-Palestinian peace conference in Annapolis." The Pope repeated this message when he addressed pilgrims gathered for the Angelus in St Peter's Square. "Next Tuesday in Annapolis, in the United States, Israelis and Palestinians with the help of the international community will try to re-launch the negotiating process in order to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict that has brought bloodshed to the Holy Land and tears and suffering to the two peoples," the Pope said. "I call upon you to join the day of prayer organised for today by the Bishops' Conference of the United States in order to beseech God's Spirit to grant peace to this region so dear to us and give wisdom and courage to all participants in this important meeting." Source: VIS