Pope calls for global solidarity to help end violence

Published: 2005-12-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- World leaders and people of good will must band together to help end violence, which "disfigures humanity," stunts development and quashes hope, the pope told new ambassadors to the Vatican. "In order to create a climate of peace and a spirit of reconciliation on all social levels, beginning with the family," all people need to lend a hand, otherwise "it is not possible to move forward on the path to a peaceful society," he said in a Dec. 1 address, adding that nations must act to attain peace. The pope made his comments to a group of 11 new ambassadors from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean who presented their credentials to the Vatican. One way to achieve more harmonious development among people would be to "pay special attention to youth, ensuring that families and the various educational structures are provided with the means to form and educate" young generations, the pope said.

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