Pope expresses hope for success of Middle East conference in Maryland

Published: 2007-11-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped the U.S.-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis, Md., would help Palestinians and Israelis reach a "just and definitive solution." The pope endorsed the U.S. bishops' call for prayers for the success of the conference, saying prayers were needed so that negotiators will have the "wisdom and courage" to take real steps toward peace. He said the Palestinian-Israeli conflict "for 60 years has been bloodying the Holy Land," causing "so many tears and so much suffering among the two peoples." The pope made the remarks Nov. 25 at the end of a Mass that he concelebrated with 23 new cardinals. The conference and related meetings Nov. 26-28 include participants from Israel, the Palestinian territories and several Arab states. The Vatican also was sending a delegation to the conference. The Vatican said the delegation would be headed by Msgr. Pietro Parolin, undersecretary for the foreign affairs section of the Secretariat of State. He was accompanied by Msgr. Franco Coppola, another foreign affairs specialist.

Copyright (c) 2007 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .