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ZENIT News Agency, The World Seen from Rome
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Code: ZE06073001
Date: 2006-07-30
Appeal for
Mideast Peace
"So That
They Immediately Put Down Their Weapons"
CASTEL GANDOLFO,
Italy, JULY 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).-
Here is a translation of the prepared text
of the address Benedict XVI gave today
before reciting the midday Angelus with the
people who gathered at the summer papal
residence in Castel Gandolfo.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Two days ago, my stay in the Aosta Valley
finished, I came directly here to Castel
Gandolfo, where I intend to remain until the
end of the summer, with a brief interruption
in September for the apostolic visit to
Bavaria. I wish, first of all, to address my
affectionate greetings to the ecclesial and
civil community of this beautiful town,
where I am always happy to come to.
I cordially thank the bishop of Albano, the
parish and the priests, as well as the mayor
and municipal administration and the other
civil authorities. A special thought goes to
the directorate and personnel of the
pontifical villa, as well as to the police,
whom I thank for their valuable service.
Moreover, I greet the many pilgrims who,
with their warm presence, contribute to
making evident, also in the homier
atmosphere of this summer residence, the
universal ecclesial dimension of this, our
appointment for the Marian prayer.
In this moment I cannot help think of the
situation, ever more grave and more tragic,
that the Middle East is going through:
hundreds of dead, many wounded, a huge
number of the homeless and refugees; houses,
towns and infrastructure destroyed;
meanwhile, hatred and the desire for revenge
grow in the hearts of many.
These facts demonstrate clearly that you
cannot re-establish justice, establish a new
order and build authentic peace when you
resort to instruments of violence.
More than ever we see how prophetic and
altogether realistic is the voice of the
Church when, in the face of wars and
conflicts of every kind, it points out the
path of truth, justice, love and liberty
(cf. encyclical "Pacem
in Terris"). Humanity must also cross this
path today to achieve the good desire for
true peace.
In the name of God, I appeal to all those
responsible for this spiral of violence, so
that they immediately put down their weapons
on all sides! I ask governing leaders and
international organizations not to spare any
effort to obtain this necessary halt to
hostilities and so to be able to begin to
build, through dialogue, a lasting and
stable concord for all the people of the
Middle East.
I appeal to all people of good to continue
and to intensify the shipment of
humanitarian help to those populations so
tested and needy. But especially [I ask
that] every heart continue to raise the
hopeful prayer to the good and merciful God,
so that he grants his peace to that region
and to the whole world.
We entrust this sorrowful petition to the
intercession of May, Mother of the Prince of
Peace and Queen of Peace, so venerated in
Mideast countries, where we hope to see soon
reign this reconciliation for which the Lord
Jesus has offered his precious Blood.
[Translation of the Italian by ZENIT]
[After the Angelus the Pope spoke in a
number of languages. In English he said:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking
pilgrims and visitors present for this
Sunday Angelus, especially the group of
young people of the Regnum Christi Movement.
In today's Gospel we see Jesus feeding the
hungry multitudes. With the same generous
love he continues to offer us daily the
Bread of Life. May the Eucharist sustain us
always in our love of God, and open our
hearts to our neighbors, especially to those
in need! I wish you all a blessed Sunday!
[In Italian he said:]
I greet with affection the Italian-language
pilgrims, recalling that in the coming days
we will mark the memorials of some great
saints: tomorrow, St. Ignatius of Loyola,
founder of the Jesuits; on Aug. 2, St.
Alphonsus Maria Liguori, founder of the
Redemptorists; on Aug. 4, St. John Mary
Vianney, the curé of Ars, patron of
parishes. The example and the intercession
of these luminous witnesses help us to
progress on the path of sanctity.