APPEAL AGAINST VIOLENCE IN MOLUCCA ISLANDS, MOSCOW AND SPAIN

VATICAN CITY, AUG 9, 2000 (VIS) - At the end of the general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope made a fresh appeal for an end to violence in the Molucca Islands and condemned yesterday's terrorist attacks in Moscow and in Spain:

"Once more I must invite you to pray for an end to the violence that is ravaging the Molucca Islands in Indonesia.

"While entrusting to divine mercy the vast numbers of victims of that tragedy, we venture to send a thought of intense spiritual closeness to those who are suffering for the death of their loved ones, the privation of the basic necessities of existence and the destruction of places of worship. Many of them have been forced to abandon the land they lived on and where they have the right to live, securely and with dignity.

"We appeal to the Lord with faith that, with the re-establishment of order, the foregone harmony may soon be recovered and Christians and Muslims may manage to co-exist in peace.

"May the Holy Virgin, mother of the afflicted, support our request through her powerful intercession."

Then, referring to yesterday's terrorist attacks in Moscow and in Spain, he added:

"In Moscow yesterday an explosive device, activated at rush hour in a pedestrian underpass near the Kremlin, caused numerous deaths and wounded many. I cannot but profoundly deplore this terrible attack. At the same time, I give assurance of my solidarity and prayers.

"I would like to extend similar sentiments to the victims of the terrorist attacks that, alas, continue in Spain.

"It is my heartfelt wish that all forms of violence, source of mourning and pain, may cease, and that spirits may be oriented towards thoughts of understanding and of peaceful co-existence."

AG;APPEAL MOLUCCA ISLANDS; MOSCOW; SPAIN;...;...;VIS;20000809;Word: 310;