Pope meets Bush, expresses concern about continuing unrest in Iraq

Published: 2004-06-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In their first meeting since the Iraq war, Pope John Paul II told U.S. President George W. Bush he was deeply concerned about the "grave unrest" in Iraq and called for a speedy restoration of the country's sovereignty. During a 50-minute encounter June 4, the pope firmly reminded the president of the Vatican's opposition to the invasion of Iraq last year. What Iraq needs today, he said, is for the situation to be normalized as quickly as possible, under a framework of greater international cooperation. "The recent appointment of a head of state in Iraq and the formation of an interim Iraqi government are an encouraging step toward the attainment of this goal," the pope said, in a speech delivered in a strained and halting voice. The pope described international terrorism as a "source of constant concern." But in an apparent reference to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers, he said recent "deplorable events" have undermined the values that are essential to defeating terrorism. In a brief talk to the pope, Bush presented the pontiff with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and called him a "hero of our time" for his defense of human freedom and dignity. The president did not mention Iraq or other international events in the public part of their encounter.

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