Pope tells peace meeting violence cannot solve world's conflicts

Published: 2005-09-12

LYON, France (CNS) -- Violence cannot solve the world's conflicts, and it harms people and limits the future of humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said in a message to participants of an interreligious peace meeting. In his written message, the pope urged all people, but especially the young, "to have the courage to more actively dedicate themselves toward peace and dialogue, which are the only things that can allow one to look with hope toward the future of the planet." The pope's appeal was read Sept. 11 by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon during a liturgy marking the start of a three-day international gathering dedicated to peace. Sponsored by the Rome-based lay Community of Sant'Egidio and hosted by the Archdiocese of Lyon, the 19th International Meeting for Peace brought religious, cultural and political leaders from all over the world to discuss the theme "The Courage to Forge a Spiritual Humanism of Peace."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .