Pope extends prayers for victims of recent Holy Land violence

Published: 2006-06-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI extended his prayers to the victims of recent violence plaguing the Holy Land as well as people "held captive" by those who believe problems can be resolved through force. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a written statement June 14 that the Vatican was "following with great concern and anguish the episodes of escalating, mindless violence bloodying the Holy Land these days." He reported that the pope said his prayers were going out to "the innocent victims, their family members, and to the people of that land, held captive by those who delude themselves, thinking they can resolve the ever more dramatic problems of the region with force or unilaterally." The Vatican statement came the day after an Israeli air raid in Gaza left nine Palestinians, including two children, dead and at least 30 others injured.

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