Church leaders see long road for Iraq even after Saddam's capture

Published: 2003-12-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican reacted quietly to news of Saddam Hussein's capture, and church officials in Rome predicted that Iraq still has a rough road ahead. In Iraq, bishops and other church leaders said Saddam's detention would help the country "turn the page" in building social peace and order. But they, too, cautioned that violence would probably continue for some time in the country. Neither Pope John Paul II nor the Vatican press office had any official comment on Saddam's capture, which was announced as the pope prayed the Angelus Dec. 14 with pilgrims at the Vatican. The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, reported the news the next day on its front page under the headline: "A trail of blood follows the capture of Saddam Hussein." The newspaper noted that a series of deadly attacks had continued in Iraq after Saddam's arrest. The newspaper said the dictator's detention, however, widened the prospects for an era of peace, justice and normal life in Iraq.

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