APPEAL FOR CLIMATE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION IN VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, APR 17, 2002 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul made an appeal for a return to a climate of peace and reconciliation in Venezuela, following recent episodes of violence in that country.

In Spanish, he said: "The serious events lived in these past days by the people of Venezuela move me to appeal to the authorities and to the citizens of that beloved nation so that they might put all their efforts into creating a climate of peaceful coexistence in which a spirit of reconciliation prevails. May they, while putting aside all temptation for revenge or violence, walk with a spirit of fraternity, solidarity and collaboration toward higher goals of justice, respect for the law and authentic progress for all."

AG;APPEAL VENEZUELA;...;...;VIS;20020417;Word: 140;