Pope Benedict XVI: Dialogue Yields Better Results

(December 6, 2008) In a letter sent to the leaders of Chile and Argentina, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that dialogue and negotiation is the most effective manner of resolving conflict. The Pope sent the message to Argentine President Cristina Fernández Kirchner and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on the 30th anniversary of mediation by Pope John Paul II in the Beagle conflict, which prevented an armed confrontation between the South American nations. The letter was read today by Cardinal Odilio Sherer, archbishop of São Paulo, at a ceremony marking the event, attended by the President of both the countries. During the ceremony, held on Mount Aymond in Chile, the foundation stone for a monument in honour of John Paul II was placed. In 1978, Chile and Argentina were on the cusp of going to war over a longstanding border dispute over three islands in the Beagle channel. Last-minute mediation by Pope John Paul II led to the beginning of a peace process, which was completed in 1984. In his letter, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the "age-old" border dispute between the nations, and said that the two countries "thought that every possibility had been exhausted to come to an agreement," and did not see the possibility to continue negotiating. He also recalled the action of John Paul II, who sent on his own initiative a papal envoy -- Cardinal Antonio Samoré -- in an attempt to keep the two nations from resorting to war.