PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN HOLY LAND AND IN IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, JUL 2, 2006 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke of the "growing concern" with which he was following events in Iraq and the Holy Land.

  "Faced, on the one hand, with blind violence that provokes appalling massacres and, on the other, with the threat of a worsening of the crisis which over the last few days has become even more dramatic, what is needed is justice and a serious and credible commitment to peace, which unfortunately are nowhere to be seen.

  "For this reason," the Holy Father added, "I invite everyone to join in faithful and persistent prayer: may the Lord illuminate hearts and may no one evade their duty to construct peaceful coexistence, recognizing that all men are brothers, whatever the people to which they belong."

  The Pope then recalled that in Moscow, Russia, from July 3 to 5 "an important summit meeting of religious leaders" is taking place, "organized by the inter-religious council of Russia. At the invitation of the Patriarch of Moscow, the Catholic Church is taking part with its own delegation. I wish to communicate my most cordial greetings to His Holiness Alexis II and to all the participants."

  Benedict XVI went on: "This important meeting of so many religious leaders of the world, is a sign of a shared desire to promote dialogue between civilizations and a search for a more just and peaceful world order. I hope that, with sincere commitment on everyone's part, areas for effective collaboration may be identified, while maintaining respect and mutual understanding, in order to face up to today's challenges.

  "For Christians," the Pope added, "this means learning to know one another even more profoundly and to esteem one another, in the light of man's dignity and his eternal destiny. Giving assurances of my prayers to God that He may render the summit's work fruitful, upon everyone I invoke abundant blessings from heaven."

  Turning then to address French pilgrims, the Pope said: "May the holidays be a period for rest and of more intense family life, in order to strengthen ties between generations, especially enabling young people to talk with adults upon essential questions of faith and the meaning of life."
ANG/HOLY LAND:RUSSIA/...                        VIS 20060703 (390)