Pope makes appeal: "In the name of God, release hostages"
Vatican City (AsiaNews) John Paul II has once again launched an appeal to the abductors of the Italians taken hostage in Iraq so that "in the name of the one God, who will judge us all" they will be returned "immediately to their families."
In his appeal the pontiff encourages the hostages to keep up their spirits and assures that he is near to them and their relatives in his thoughts and prayers. John Paul II also thanked "all those who are working in Iraq to reestablish an atmosphere of reconciliation and dialog with a view to restoring the country's full sovereignty and independence and safe conditions for the entire population."
The pope urged the "Catholic community and all Christians in Iraq" to continue building up a "climate of harmony and collaboration among all religions and sectors of (Iraqi) society."
The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with Foreign States, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, read the Holy Father's appeal to the families of the hostages, whom he received and greeted with thousands of marchers in St. Peter's Squares. The march was organized to honor the request of the 3 hostages' relatives and family members.
This morning on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, the pope said he celebrated mass for the hostages and "for everyone suffering that country (Iraq)."
Below is the full and unedited version of the pope's message read by Archbishop Lajolo (trans. by AsiaNews):
"Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Holy Father I greet the Archbishop of Bari, the Bishop of Prato, the Secretary of the Italian Bishops Conference, the representative of the Bishop of Cesena, the priests here today and all of you who have come for this moment of prayer.
I can tell you that the Holy Father celebrated mass this morning, on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, the Patroness of Italy, for the release the hostages held in Iraq and for all those suffering in the that country. He has entrusted their safety to the protection of Mary, the Mother of Christ and of all mankind.
In the name of the one God, who will judge us all, John Paul II renewed his urgent appeal to the abductors to return the hostages immediately to their families.
The pope wanted to express his fatherly feelings for those taken hostage and to inspire them to keep up their courage and hope during this their difficult time of trial.
The pope wanted to assure the hostages' family members, friends and loved ones that he particularly close to them in thought and prayer at this time of apprehension and anxiety.
The Holy Father does not doubt that everything is being done to guarantee their safely and to ensure their release as soon as possible.
His Holiness John Paul II thanks all those who are working in Iraq to reestablish an atmosphere of reconciliation and dialog with a view to restoring the country's full sovereignty and independence and safe conditions for the entire population.
John Paul II urges the dear Catholic community and all Christians in Iraq to continue building up a climate of harmony and collaboration among all religions and sectors of the population for the common good of (Iraqi) society."
The pope invites us to pray to God, who loves the lives of all men and does not want anyone to die, for a positive ending to this painful story. At this very moment he is praying in his chapel and his united with us in making a common appeal to God.
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15/04/2004
23/11/2004
