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Pope John Paul II covers his face in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during his weekly general audience. The pontiff said that while praying the rosary, he thought"about the news from Iraq with a heavy heart without forgetting the other conflicts that bloody the world.
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Pope John Paul today made a fresh appeal for peace in Iraq, saying his heart was 'oppressed' by the news of battles.
Speaking to thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St Peter'sSquare, the pope asked Catholics around the world to continuepraying for peace.
The 82-year-old pope, who headed the Vatican's diplomaticcampaign to avert war, said that when he prayed he did so 'witha heart that is oppressed by news that reaches us from an Iraqin war.'
The pope, who appeared in relatively good health, said theworld should not forget the other conflicts 'that are bloodyingthe Earth.'
He prayed that the Madonna 'obtain justice and peace for thewhole world.'
The pope is firmly opposed to the US-led invasion of Iraqand the Vatican has refused to bless the conflict as a just war.