Zeno
04-11-2004, 12:18 PM
From an AP news report:
VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II called Sunday for world leaders to resolve conflicts in Iraq, the Middle East and Africa, and used his Easter message to pray that hope will conquer the "inhuman" and growing phenomenon of terrorism. He also urged that all the children of Abraham - the Biblical patriarch considered the father of Christianity, Islam and Judaism - to "rediscover the brotherhood that they share and that prompts in them designs of cooperation and peace."
"May the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death," he said.
John Paul delivered the message in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing - Latin for "To the City and the World," as he celebrated Easter Mass on the flower-decked steps of St. Peter's Basilica before tens of thousands of people.
The celebration is the most joyous holiday in the Christian calendar - the day according to the Bible that Jesus rose from the dead after crucifixion.
This year, Easter falls on the same day in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox calendars - a coincidence John Paul cited in expressing hope that one day the two churches might always celebrate Easter together.
"I pray to the risen Lord that all of us baptized may soon be able to together relive this fundamental feast of our faith each year on the same day," he said.
Speaking strongly and clearly despite having completed a grueling spate of Holy Week ceremonies, John Paul urged the faithful to find the courage to confront the many evils facing the world today.
"In particular, may (humanity) find the strength to face the inhuman and unfortunately growing phenomenon of terrorism, which rejects life and brings anguish and uncertainty to the daily lives of so many hard-working and peaceful people," John Paul said.
He called for governments and international institutions to overcome the troubles afflicting people around the globe and work for a more peaceful world order.
"May world leaders be confirmed and sustained in their efforts to resolve satisfactorily the continuing conflicts that cause bloodshed in certain regions of Africa, Iraq and the Holy Land," he said.
John Paul has frequently used his Easter message to reflect on war, poverty and terrorism - and his remarks this year appeared particularly directed to the fresh violence in Iraq and the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.
Dressed in golden robes and a jeweled miter, the pope was alert and spoke clearly throughout the Mass, despite having struggled through a three-hour Easter Vigil that ended just a few hours earlier.
On Friday, the 83-year-old John Paul, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, braved the chilly night air to preside over a reenactment of Christ's Passion at Rome's Colosseum.
VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II called Sunday for world leaders to resolve conflicts in Iraq, the Middle East and Africa, and used his Easter message to pray that hope will conquer the "inhuman" and growing phenomenon of terrorism. He also urged that all the children of Abraham - the Biblical patriarch considered the father of Christianity, Islam and Judaism - to "rediscover the brotherhood that they share and that prompts in them designs of cooperation and peace."
"May the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death," he said.
John Paul delivered the message in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing - Latin for "To the City and the World," as he celebrated Easter Mass on the flower-decked steps of St. Peter's Basilica before tens of thousands of people.
The celebration is the most joyous holiday in the Christian calendar - the day according to the Bible that Jesus rose from the dead after crucifixion.
This year, Easter falls on the same day in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox calendars - a coincidence John Paul cited in expressing hope that one day the two churches might always celebrate Easter together.
"I pray to the risen Lord that all of us baptized may soon be able to together relive this fundamental feast of our faith each year on the same day," he said.
Speaking strongly and clearly despite having completed a grueling spate of Holy Week ceremonies, John Paul urged the faithful to find the courage to confront the many evils facing the world today.
"In particular, may (humanity) find the strength to face the inhuman and unfortunately growing phenomenon of terrorism, which rejects life and brings anguish and uncertainty to the daily lives of so many hard-working and peaceful people," John Paul said.
He called for governments and international institutions to overcome the troubles afflicting people around the globe and work for a more peaceful world order.
"May world leaders be confirmed and sustained in their efforts to resolve satisfactorily the continuing conflicts that cause bloodshed in certain regions of Africa, Iraq and the Holy Land," he said.
John Paul has frequently used his Easter message to reflect on war, poverty and terrorism - and his remarks this year appeared particularly directed to the fresh violence in Iraq and the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.
Dressed in golden robes and a jeweled miter, the pope was alert and spoke clearly throughout the Mass, despite having struggled through a three-hour Easter Vigil that ended just a few hours earlier.
On Friday, the 83-year-old John Paul, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, braved the chilly night air to preside over a reenactment of Christ's Passion at Rome's Colosseum.