Pope's triple appeal at Sunday's 'Angelus'

(March 3, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI made 3 appeals on Sunday, reiterating his call for the release of a kidnapped Iraqi archbishop, urging for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and imploring for more humane treatment for the world’s children. Speaking during his weekly midday “Angelus” prayer and blessing in St Peter's Square, the Holy Father first repeated his appeal for the release of Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The Archbishop was kidnapped on Friday and his driver and two men were killed when gunmen opened fire on his car after they left the Holy Spirit Cathedral after Friday’s Way of the Cross service. The funeral of the 3 dead were held on Saturday. Reiterating his Friday’s appeal for the release of Archbishop Rahho, the Pope said he was following the "dramatic event" with "profound sadness," particularly because the kidnapped prelate was in very poor health. While expressing his closeness with the Chaldean Church, the Holy Father encouraged its pastors and faithful to be strong and firm in hope.
Pope Benedict XVI also called for an end to the conflict in Gaza, urging both Israelis and Palestinians to unconditionally halt the violence that has killed more than 100 people. He said, "Only by showing absolute respect for human life, even if it is that of the enemy, can one hope to give a future of peace and coexistence to both of those peoples who have their roots in the Holy Land." "I renew my pressing appeal to the authorities, both Israeli and Palestinian, to stop this spiral of violence, unilaterally, unconditionally," he told pilgrims and tourists in the square below his studio window.
The third appeal of Pope Benedict on Sunday was on behalf of the world's children after he came to learn of the tragic death of two Italian youngsters, aged 11 and 12. Missing since 2006, they were found dead inside a dried-up well. Deeply struck by the death of the two children of the Papalardi family, the Holy Father launched an appeal on behalf of children saying, “Let us care for our little ones. We must love them and help them to grow. I say this to parents but also to institutions.” He said he was thinking of children in every part of the world, above all the defenceless, the exploited and the abused. He entrusted each child to the heart of Christ, who said, 'Let the children come to me.'