Pope Benedict XVI
VATICAN CITY (AP):
Pope Benedict XVI issued an impassioned call yesterday for "the immediate cessation of all hostilities" in the Middle East, saying that "nothing can justify the spilling of innocent blood, wherever it is coming from."
Speaking with a clenched fist and a voice filled with emotion, Benedict said, "Our eyes are filled with the chilling images of torn bodies of so many people, especially children - I am thinking in particular of Qana."
Benedict was referring to the Israeli attack last weekend in the southern Lebanese town of Qana that killed 56 civilians, mostly women and children.
It was the latest in a half dozen peace appeals by the pope that have consistently included calls for an immediate cease-fire. He has spoken out on every public occasion since the fighting began three weeks ago, reminiscent of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who became a rallying point for critics of the Iraq war.
Israel and the United States have resisted such peace calls, saying efforts must be made for a "durable" settlement. In a reflection of differences, EU foreign ministers did not agree Tuesday on a proposed draft that had called for an "immediate cease-fire" - apparently due to opposition spearheaded by Britain and Germany.
Unconditional cease-fire
That appeared to stem from concerns that trying to force Israel into an unconditional cease-fire now would be seen as a victory for Hezbollah guerrillas, which Western nations and Lebanon itself want to see disarmed.
During his recent Alpine vacation, Benedict made clear that attempts at reaching any settlement should be left to diplomats "because we don't enter politics. But we do everything for peace. Our goal is simply peace, and we will do everything to help attain peace," he told reporters as he returned from an hour-long hike.
