Pope John Paul II yesterday called on the international community to help Iraqis "become the protagonists of the collective rebuilding of their country", writes Paddy Agnew, in Rome
The Pope made his call during his traditional Easter Sunday Urbi Et Orbi address, which was marked by a fervent appeal for peace in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and in parts of the world where "forgotten wars" cause death amid "silence and neglect".
Throughout the build-up to war in Iraq, the Pope was relentless in voicing his opposition, arguing that war always represents "a defeat for mankind".
Looking tired at the end of his Holy Week schedule of ceremonies, the 82-year-old Pope nonetheless found renewed vigour when he came to deliver his Urbi Et Orbi (To the City and the World) address to more than 50,000 pilgrims gathered in a rain-soaked St Peter's Square.
Highlighting the good news of the risen Lord, the Pope said that the Easter proclamation represents the "foundation of the hope of all mankind".
Recalling how the first greeting of the risen Jesus to his disciples was "peace be with you", the Pope said that Christians on Easter Sunday proclaimed the hope of peace.
In that context, he then quoted from Pope John XX111's encyclical, Pacem in Terris: "Peace on Earth, the profound aspiration of men and women of all times, can be firmly established and sustained only if the order established by God is firmly respected".
Saying that these words remains as "timely as ever" at the dawn of a third millennium "marred by acts of violence and conflicts", the Pope continued:
"Peace in Iraq! With the support of the international community, may the Iraqi people become the protagonists of the collective rebuilding of their country. Peace in other parts of the world where forgotten wars and protracted hostilities are causing deaths and injuries amid silence and neglect on the part of considerable sectors of public opinion.
"With profound grief, I think of the spiral of violence and bloodshed, that gives no sign of ceasing, in the Holy Land. I think of the tragic situation of many countries on the African continent, which cannot be abandoned to itself".
Saying that he was "well aware" of the attacks on "people's freedom" in the Caucasus, in Asia and in Latin America, the Pope, raising his voice, then called for end to the spiral of hatred that could yet provoke a clash of cultures and religion.
"Let there be an end to the chain of hatred and terrorism which threatens the orderly development of the human family. May God grant that we be free from the peril of a tragic clash between cultures and religion. May faith and love of God make the followers of every religion courageous builders of understanding and forgiveness, patient weavers of a fruitful inter-religious dialogue, capable of inaugurating a new era of justice and peace".