APPEAL FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, DEC 5, 2001 (VIS) - At the close of today's general audience held in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope made a call for peace in the Holy Land:

"I feel the need to express my profound condolence for the new victims of the senseless violence that continues to stain the Middle East with blood. Once again I repeat, with sorrowful heart, that violence never resolves conflicts, it only exacerbates their dramatic consequences.

"I launch a new and pressing appeal to the international community that it may, with ever greater determination and courage, help Israelis and Palestinians to break this useless cycle of death. May negotiations be resumed as soon as possible in order that the longed-for peace may finally be attained."

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