THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE, NO JUSTICE WITHOUT PARDON

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2003 (VIS) - After reciting the Angelus at noon with the faithful in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II pointed out that "once again these have been days of blood and death for the people of the Holy Land, who have entered an endless spiral of violence and reprisals."

Repeating an appeal he has issued many times in the past, the Pope said: "There is no peace without justice and no justice without pardon. I remind you of this today with growing conviction, addressing all the inhabitants of the Holy Land. I also exhort the international community to never tire of helping Israelis and Palestinians to rediscover the meaning of man and of fraternity in order to weave together their future."

The Holy Father then greeted the faithful in several languages, and reminded everyone that "at 7 p.m. this coming Thursday, the solemnity of Corpus Christi, I will preside over Mass in front of St. John Lateran Basilica, following which there will be the traditional procession to St. Mary Major. I invite everyone to participate in this celebration in great numbers, to express together the faith in Christ, living and present in the Eucharist."

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