VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2003 (VIS) - During today's Angelus, Pope John Paul issued his strongest appeal yet to the United Nations Security Council to forego the use of arms in Iraq, saying "the use of force must represent the last recourse," and he entreated Iraq to fully cooperate with the international community. Recalling that he had personally experienced war, he pleaded "Never again war!"
The Pope began his remarks by saying that "only Christ can renew hearts and give hope again to peoples. Today's liturgy, presenting the mysterious event of the Transfiguration, makes us feel the power of His light, that overcomes the darkness of doubt and evil.
"In this perspective of faith, I wish to extend a pressing appeal to increase the commitment to prayer and penance, to ask Christ for the gift of His peace. Without conversion of the heart there is no peace."
The Holy Father continued: "The next days will be decisive for the outcome of the Iraqi crisis. Let us pray, therefore, that the Lord will inspire all parties involved to have courage and farsightedness. Certainly, the political leaders of Baghdad have the urgent duty to fully cooperate with the international community to eliminate every motive for an armed intervention. I address a pressing appeal to them: the fate of their fellow citizens must always have priority!"
"But I would also like to remind the member countries of the United Nations, in particular those who comprise the Security Council, that the use of force represents the last recourse, after having exhausted every other peaceful solution, according to the well-known principles of the U.N. Charter.
"And this is why - in the face of the tremendous consequences that an international military operation would have for the peoples of Iraq and the equilibrium of the entire Middle East region, already so extremely tried, as well as for the extremes that could come from it - I say to everyone: there is still time to negotiate; there is still room for peace; it is never too late for mutual understanding and for continuing to dialogue.
"Reflecting on one's own duty, committing oneself to effective negotiations does not mean humiliating oneself, but rather working responsibly towards peace. We Christians are convinced that authentic and lasting peace is not only the fruit of the necessary political agreements and understandings between individuals and peoples, but it is a gift of God to all those who submit to Him and accept with humility and gratitude the light of His love."
John Paul II at one point interrupted his appeal with off-the-cuff remarks, saying: "I belong to that generation that lived through and survived World War II. I have the duty of telling all young people, and those younger than me who have not had this experience: 'Never again war!', as Paul VI said in his first visit to the United Nations. We must do everything possible! We know well that it is not possible to ask for peace at all costs. But we all know how great, how very great, this responsibility is. Therefore, prayer and penance!"
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