Pope's Urgent Appeal for Holy Land

(28 Dec 08 - RV) At the end of his Angelus Address this Sunday Pope Benedict XVI launched an urgent appeal for peace in the Holy Land:
"The Holy Land, at the core of the thoughts and affections of the faithful worldwide during the Christmas period, is once again rocked by the explosion of unrestrained violence". The Pope expressed his “profound grief for the victims, the wounded, the material damage, the suffering and tears of the population, the true victim of this tragic continuation of attacks and revenge attacks”. He continued “The land of Jesus’ birth cannot continue to be a witness to the endless spilling of blood!”. Then Pope Benedict implored an end to the violence, that “must be condemned in every form, and the restoration of the ceasefire in Gaza”; he also asked for a “leap of wisdom and humanity in all those responsible for the situation”, he asked the international community to “attempt everything possible to help Israelis and Palestinians” find “a way out of this dead end” so they do not resign themselves – as I said two days ago in the Urbi et Orbi message – to the perverse logic of conflict and violence, instead privileging dialogue and negotiations”. Let us entrust our fervid prayers to Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and to Him, Mary and Joseph, we say : “O family of Nazareth, expert in suffering, gift the world peace”. Above all gift it to the Holy Land today!