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Pope Benedict calls for ceasefire in Syria and peaceful talks
by Joseph Earnest January 7, 2013
Newscast Media ROME—Pope Benedict XVI has made an urgent appeal to civil and political authorities to work for peace. The Pope’s heartfelt cry came on Monday during his annual address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See.
Speaking to representatives of the 179 States that
currently have full diplomatic relations with the Vatican, as well as
members of numerous international organizations such as the EU, the
Order of Malta and the PLO, Pope Benedict emphasized that world leaders
have a grave responsibility to work for peace. They are the first – he
said – called to resolve the numerous conflicts causing bloodshed in our
human family.
The Pope went on to list urgent areas of concern
starting with Syria which he described as being "torn apart by endless
slaughter and the scene of dreadful suffering among its civilian
population".
"I renew my appeal for a ceasefire" – the Pope said –
"and for the inauguration as quickly as possible of a constructive
dialogue aimed at putting an end to a conflict which will know no
victors but only vanquished if it continues, leaving behind it nothing
but a field of ruins".
Staying with the peacemaking theme, the Holy
Father had strong words of preoccupation for the Holy Land where – he
said – Israelis and Palestinians must "commit themselves to peaceful
coexistence within the framework of two sovereign states".
Benedict
went on to mention Iraq, Lebanon, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the
DRC, Mali, the Central African Republic and Nigeria which – he observed –
is regularly the scene of terrorist attacks which reap victims above
all among the Christian faithful gathered in prayer.
The Pope also
condemned "religious fanaticism" which he said is a falsification of
religion itself since religion aims at reconciling men and women with
God.
Looking also at signs of promise around the globe, the Pope said
that peace building always comes about by the protection of human
beings and their fundamental rights. Foremost among these – he stressed –
"is respect for human life at every stage", and in this regard he
expressed gratification for a Council of Europe resolution calling for
the prohibition of euthanasia. Add
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