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Pope prays for tsunami victims, urges world peace through dialogue

"Facing multiple manifestations of evil which are unfortunately

human family, the main requirement is to promote peace using coherent

In his annual message to mark World Peace Day released on December 16

the catastrophe in south Asia, the pope focussed on Iraq, condeming

readiness to use violence to impose peace and warning that the drama
unfolding in Iraq had led to "uncertainty and insecurity" for the

world."

Pope prays for tsunami victims, urges world peace through dialogue

Whew....that'll fix everything up!!!

http://au.news.yahoo.com/050101/19/semo.html

Sunday January 2, 06:01 AM


Pope prays for tsunami victims, urges world peace through dialogue

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope John Paul II turned his thoughts to victims of
the
Asian tsunami disaster in his New Year's prayers as the death toll edged
towards 126,000, and urged the world to strive towards peace through
dialogue, justice and forgiveness.

The 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church addressed a special
greeting to ambassadors of countries hit by the "terrible calamity" last
Sunday in a sermon he read in its entirety at St Peter's Basilica.

He went on to praise what he called the movement of solidarity seen across
the world to bring aid to the countries devastated by the tremor-driven
tidal waves.

"I address once again my thoughts to the people hit by the tragic calamity
of recent days," he later told thousands of faithful from the window of
his
apartments overlooking St Peter's Square.

"I assure them of my prayers for the victims of the catastrophe and for
their families and I take note with satisfaction of the movement of
solidarity which is developing everywhere in the world," he added.

"This sort of human solidarity, along with the grace of God, gives hope
for
better days to come in the year that begins today," he said.

A Vatican spokesman said the pontiff started off 2005 by celebrating mass
in
his private chapel at midnight for victims of the disaster that struck six
days ago.

The pope, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease but was in relatively
good form, said World Peace Day Saturday was "an invitation to Christians
and to all men to reaffirm their wish to build peace".

"Facing multiple manifestations of evil which are unfortunately hitting
the
human family, the main requirement is to promote peace using coherent
means
giving importance to dialogue, to works of justice and teaching
forgiveness," the pope said.

"Dear brothers and sisters, to promote peace on earth is our common
mission", he added.

In his annual message to mark World Peace Day released on December 16
before
the catastrophe in south Asia, the pope focussed on Iraq, condeming man's
readiness to use violence to impose peace and warning that the drama
unfolding in Iraq had led to "uncertainty and insecurity" for the whole
world.

He also urged wealthy countries to do more for poor nations in the year
ahead, through development aid and debt cancellation.

A prayer was also devoted during Saturday's mass calling for those who
carry
out terror acts to realise that violence never resolved problems.