Pope appeals again for peace in Gaza

(Jan.06, 2009) Deep concern over the violent armed clashes taking place in the Gaza Strip was expressed once again by Pope Benedict XVI in his Angelus message for the Feast of the Epiphany on Tuesday. Addressing the large gathering of tourists and the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope explained that Epiphany was the manifestation of the Lord. He said the Gospel tells how Jesus came into the world in great humility and obscurity. St. Matthew however, relates the story of the Magi, who came from the East led by a star to pay homage to the newborn king, who came to bring peace and love in the world, and the world rejected him. Relating briefly the public life of Jesus, the Pope praised the Virgin Mary, who welcomed Jesus with faith, and called on the faithful not to close their hearts to the Gospel of salvation.
In his noonday Angelus message, the Pope also expressed his congratulations to the brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches, who follow the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on Wed. 7^th Jan. He said the memory of these- our brothers in the faith, leads me spiritually to the Holy Land and the Middle East. “I continue to follow with deep concern” said Pope Benedict, “the violent armed clashes taking place in the Gaza Strip. I repeat that hatred and rejection of dialogue lead only to war. I encourage the initiatives and efforts of those, who having at heart peace, are trying to help the Israelis and Palestinians to agree to dialogue”. The Pope prayed that God may sustain the commitment of these brave builders of peace.
Finally, recalling that the Feast of the Epiphany in many countries is also the feast of children, who he called the wealth and blessing of the world, Pope Benedict drew attention to the numerous children, who in recent months in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were seized by armed gangs, who attacked villages and caused much injury. The Pope appealed to the perpetrators of such inhuman brutality to return the children to their families. The Pontiff also expressed his spiritual closeness to the local churches and urged the pastors to be firm in hope. Incidents of violence against children in many parts of the world, said the Pope, are all the more deplorable, considering that 2009 marks the 20^th Anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child .
Earlier Tuesday morning, the Pope celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica . In his homily, the Pope noted that the year 2009 marks the 4^th centenary of Galileo Galilei ‘s observation via the telescope and the year is dedicated in a special way to astronomy. He said the importance of the feast of the Epiphany - is the Star that led the Magi to Jesus, the newborn King and Saviour. The Pope prayed that all the faithful, like the Magi may be guided to Jesus.