Pope reiterates call for all to lay down weapons for Mideast peace

Published: 2006-08-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As fighting in Lebanon entered its fifth week, Pope Benedict XVI again urged all sides to lay down their weapons and end the "tragic conflict." The pope quoted Pope Paul VI's famous invocation at the United Nations in 1965: "No longer one against the other, no longer, never again! ... If you wish to be brothers, let the arms fall from your hands." Pope Benedict made his remarks at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican Aug. 9, as diplomats worked to reach agreement on the terms of a possible cease-fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. The pope offered moral encouragement to the efforts and said they should lead to a cessation of hostilities and a just and lasting solution to the conflict. Citing a speech by Pope John Paul II, he said peace is possible when reason and good will are made to prevail, along with trust in others, the implementation of prior commitments and cooperation between responsible partners.

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