Rome:Pope Benedict has lamented the "continual slaughter" in Iraq and growing unrest in Afghanistan in his Easter message delivered in Rome yesterday.
In a plea for peace during his second Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Easter message, he said "nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees". He also spoke of the "growing unrest and instability" in Afghanistan, currently bracing itself for an offensive by a resurgent Taliban.
He condemned terrorism and the use of religion to justify a "thousand faces of violence", adding that "peace is sorely needed". He made his appeal before tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square in an address televised to viewers in 67 countries, listing his concerns about problems facing the world, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
He said the Middle East's future was "put seriously in jeopardy" by political paralysis in Lebanon, where the government is challenged by an opposition which includes Hizbullah. But he noted "some signs of hope in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian authority".
His comments followed the formation of a Palestinian unity government last month. Last Friday Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said an Israeli soldier, abducted by Gaza militants 10 months ago in a cross-border raid, would be released soon.
Turning to Africa, the pope addressed the violence and looting in Democratic Republic of Congo and said renewed fighting in Somalia had "driven away the prospect of peace and worsened a regional crisis".
He said that "in Darfur and in the neighbouring countries, there is a catastrophic, and, sadly to say, underestimated humanitarian situation". He spoke of the "grievous crisis" in Zimbabwe, marked by crackdowns on dissidents, a disastrous economy and severe corruption.
Referring to Sri Lanka, he said that only a negotiated solution could end the drawn-out, bloody conflict in Sri Lanka, and that East Timor needs reconciliation ahead of elections.
Earlier he celebrated Easter Mass on the steps of St Peter's Basilica. Wearing gold-coloured vestments, the pope held a silver crucifix as clerics sprinkled incense across the steps.
Unusually for a Vatican Easter Mass, black-robed clerics intoned a long chant from the Byzantine Easter liturgy. This year eastern Orthodox and and western Christian Easter celebrations coincided. Generally both traditions celebrate Easter on different dates because of their use of different church calendars.
At the end Pope Benedict delivered Easter greetings in many languages, including Arabic and Hebrew, and gave the crowd his apostolic blessing. Following yesterday's events he went to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo for a few days of rest. Next Monday he will be 80 and April 19th will mark the second anniversary of his election as pope.
- (Additional reporting Reuters/AP)