APPEAL FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO AND SIERRA LEONE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope John Paul remarked that "peace is still threatened in so many parts of the world. In these days, fierce and merciless manifestations are taking place, in particular in Kosovo and Sierra Leone."

He continued: "We ask God with renewed trust that where there is hate, there might be an outpouring of God's mercy, reawakening the consciences of all those who guide the future of peoples and encouraging all to work for peace.

"A particular thought of closeness and solidarity goes to the archbishop of Freetown and to missionaries who are being held hostage by combatants in Sierra Leone, in spite of their untiring devoted service to the people in that African country. I call on all responsible, so that they might be set free as soon as possible to continue their mission of evangelization and charity."

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