VATICAN: Pope John Paul II yesterday called on humanity to take courage from the message of the risen Christ in order to confront terrorism, to resolve bloody conflicts in Iraq and other areas of conflict and to ensure that the "culture of life and love render vain the logic of death".
The 83-year-old Pope issued the call during his traditional Easter Sunday message, delivered to thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square. Looking and sounding relatively strong after the strains imposed on his frail health by the busy Easter week calendar, the Pope said: "On this day of your victory over death, may humanity find in you, O Lord, the courage to oppose in solidarity the many evils that afflict it. In particular, may it find the strength to face the inhuman and unfortunately growing phenomenon of terrorism, which rejects life and brings anguish and uncertainty to the daily lives of so many hard-working and peaceful people."
Calling on the world's leaders to "resolve satisfactorily" conflicts that "cause bloodshed in certain regions of Africa, Iraq and the Holy Land", the Pope added: "Take heed, men and women of goodwill. May the temptation to seek revenge give way to the courage to forgive; may the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death.
"If our future is one, it is the task and duty of all to build it with patient and painstaking far-sightedness," he added.
He reminded Christians, Jews and Muslims that they are all children of Abraham and should therefore "rediscover the brotherhood that they share" and work for peace together.
The Pope's message was issued against the background of unprecedently tight security measures in and around the Vatican following warnings from Italian intelligence agencies that the Vatican and the Pope might be the object of a terrorist attack.
Police sealed manhole covers near St Peter's Square and diverted traffic at night to thwart possible suicide bombers.
Officials have banned small aircraft over Rome for the Easter holiday, with jet fighters and helicopters ready to take to the air within minutes to intercept intruders.
Over the Easter weekend, the main road leading to the Vatican was closed off, while everyone entering St Peter's Square had to pass through metal detectors.
At the end of yesterday morning's Mass, the Pope issued his traditional Urbe et Orbe multi-lingual greeting, wishing a happy Easter to "the City and the world" in 62 different languages, including Irish.