Pope hopeful for Darfur solution

(Sept.15, 2007) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday received Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo and expressed hope that upcoming United Nations backed peace talks will end the humanitarian crisis in western Sudan’s Darfur region. Peace negotiations are set to begin on Oct. 27 between the Sudanese government and rebel forces, to be held in neighbouring Libya. In what is considered to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the world today, more than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been uprooted since ethnic conflict began between African rebels in Darfur and the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in 2003.
After the meeting between the Pope and Al-Bashir the Holy See’s press office released a brief statement saying the "discussions focused on the country's political and religious situation, with particular reference to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to the situation in Darfur. "It is the Holy See's heartfelt hope," said the statement, "that these negotiations prove successful in order to put an end to the suffering and insecurity of those peoples, ensuring them the humanitarian assistance to which they have the right, and initiating development projects.”
Other issues taken up at the discussion included "the defense of life and of the family", "respect and promotion of human rights including the fundamental right of religious freedom," and interreligious dialogue and collaboration especially between Christians and Muslims.