'Break the vicious circle of violence,' Pope pleads before departing
President Peres, the Pope and Prime Minister Netanyahu listen to the anthems of the Vatican and Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel, May 15, 2009 / 06:46 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict made the strongest appeal for peace of his entire trip as he prepared to depart for Rome on Friday. During his farewell speech at the Ben Gurion International Airport, the Pope stressed the need for universal recognition of Israel's right to exist and the Palestinians' “right to a sovereign independent homeland.”
President Shimon Peres, who delivered a speech before the Pope, said the trip “constituted a significant contribution to the new relations between the Vatican and Jerusalem.”
“I hope that your visit enabled you and your delegation to experience the traits of our land... above all the sincere aspiration for peace shared by all Israelis—peace with our neighbors, peace with distant enemies, peace for all,” Peres said.
The Israeli president also added that “today's political and spiritual leaders face a profound challenge: how to divorce religion from terror. How to prevent terrorists from hijacking the religious conscience by cloaking an act of terrorism in the false guise of a religious mission.”
Peres argued that because of Pope Benedict's “great spiritual leadership” he can “help people to recognize that God is not in the hearts of terrorists.”
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See also:
From Asia News, "Pope calls on Israelis and Palestinians to break the circle of violence and sadness of Wall"
From the Chicago Tribune, "Pope ends Holy Land visit with plea for peace"
From Zenit, "Papal Pilgrimage Ends With a Bang" and "Pontiff's Farewell Address to the Holy Land"
posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 6:50 PM
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