Pope appeals for release of kidnap victims in Holy Land

Published: 2006-06-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for the release of kidnap victims in the Holy Land, asking that "every kidnapped person be promptly returned to his loved ones." During his June 29 Angelus address in St. Peter's Square, the pope said he was anxiously following the latest news coming out of Israel and the Palestinian territories. He made an appeal that, with the help of the international community, Israeli and Palestinian leaders "responsibly resume a policy of negotiation of the conflict," adding that talks were the only method that could "guarantee the peace their people hope for." Palestinian militant factions kidnapped an Israeli soldier June 25. The abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit came as the militants called for the release of all Palestinian women and children being held in Israeli prisons. They said only after the prisoners' release would they give news on the missing soldier. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would not become a victim of "terrorist blackmail" by bargaining or negotiating with the militants.

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