Pope calls for immediate cease-fire, negotiations in Middle East

Published: 2006-07-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called for an immediate cease-fire to be followed by "reasonable and responsible negotiations" in the Middle East. The pope's repeated appeal for peace in the region came as Israeli soldiers began fighting Hezbollah militants inside Lebanon's borders. A statement issued July 20 by the Vatican press office said the pope also declared July 23 to be a day dedicated to prayers and penance for people of all religious faiths "to implore God for the precious gift of peace." The statement said the pope urged prayers for "an immediate cease-fire between the (warring) sides," the establishment of "a humanitarian corridor in order to bring aid to the suffering people," and the start of "reasonable and responsible negotiations so as to end the objective situations of injustice existing in that region." "The Lebanese have the right to see the integrity and sovereignty of their country respected, the Israelis have the right to live in peace in their nation, and the Palestinians have the right to have a free and sovereign country," the written statement said.

Copyright (c) 2006 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .