Pope Benedict XVI pleads for Mideast cease-fire as situation worsens

(July31, 2006): -Pope Benedict XVI appealed for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East, hours after Israeli missiles struck several buildings in a southern Lebanon village, killing dozens, most of them children. "In the name of God, I appeal to all those responsible for this spiral of violence, so that they immediately put down their weapons on all sides," the Pope told pilgrims and tourists in his Sunday Angelus message at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. "In this moment," the Holy Father said, "I cannot help but think of the situation, ever more grave and more tragic, that the Middle East is going through. There are hundreds of dead, so many wounded, a huge number of the homeless and displaced people; houses, towns and infrastructure are destroyed, while hate and the desire for revenge grow in the hearts of many. I ask governing leaders and international organizations, not to spare any effort to obtain a halt to hostilities, and begin to build through dialogue, a lasting and stable peace for all the people of the Middle East," the Pope said. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas is now nearly in its third week. Pope Benedict, who plans to spend most of the rest of his summer in Castel Gandolfo, said: "I appeal to all people of goodwill to continue and to intensify the shipment of humanitarian help to those populations so tested and needy. We entrust this sorrowful petition to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace and Queen of Peace, so venerated in Mideast countries, where, we hope to see soon a reconciliation, for which the Lord Jesus has offered his precious Blood," concluded the Pope.