POPE CONGRATULATES NOBEL PRIZE WINNER

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was a telegram from the Pope to Mohamed El Baradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), congratulating him for winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2005, which was awarded during a ceremony held today in Oslo, Norway. The Holy See is a founding member of the IAEA.

  In his telegram, Benedict XVI offers his congratulations to Mohamed El Baradei and to the IAEA, and writes: "Even today, sixty years after the devastating attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it is clear that the peace of the world continues to be at risk from the spread of nuclear weapons. The service that you have given to the international community by promoting nuclear non-proliferation and by contributing to the process of nuclear disarmament deserves the highest commendation. I pray that God will continue to guide the efforts of all who work for peace and especially those who seek to prevent any further use of weapons of mass destruction."
TGR/NOBEL PEACE PRIZE/EL BARADEI                    VIS 20051212 (180)