Pope: 'War can be avoided'

www.itv.com 11.36AM GMT, 25 Dec 2002   "...In the Middle East, to extinguish the ominous smouldering of a conflict which, with the joint efforts of all, can be avoided" - Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II has delivered his twice yearly "Urbi et Orbi" blessing and message to crowds in Rome's St Peter's Square and urged joint efforts to avoid war in the Middle East.

On a drizzly, grey morning, thousands of tourists and pilgrims streamed to St Peter's Square to hear the ailing pontiff, 82, give his Christmas Day address in Latin.

The pope said believers in all religions were called to build peace.

"...In the Middle East, to extinguish the ominous smouldering of a conflict which, with the joint efforts of all, can be avoided."

Earlier, the crowds screamed and clapped in delight when John Paul, wearing gold-coloured robes, was driven in a white, open-topped vehicle through the square.

In his speech, given in Latin, he reflected on the risk peace faces on the day celebrated as Christ's birthday in Bethlehem.

"From the cave of Bethlehem there rises today an urgent appeal to the world not to yield to mistrust, suspicion and discouragement, even though the tragic reality of terrorism feeds uncertainties and fears," the Pope said.

He called on believers of all religions as well as on all people of good will to build peace.

Without naming any countries, John Paul singled out two places in urgent need of peace-builders.

In the Holy Land, "to put an end once and for all to the senseless spiral of blind violence, and in the Middle East, to extinguish the ominous smouldering of a conflict which, with the joint efforts of all, can be avoided."

Although he didn't name Iraq, his remarks echoed comments in recent days about the country by top Vatican officials, who reiterated Church teaching that "preventative" war is not considered a justifiable cause to take up arms.

In apparent reference to the turmoil that over recent months and weeks have rocked Argentina and Venezuela, John Paul said that in Latin America, as well as in Asia, political, economic and social crises were disturbing the "serenity of many families and nations."

"May humanity accept the Christmas message of peace!" John Paul declared.

Africa's famines and "tragic internal conflicts," John Paul added, were also worrisome. He said that on that continent, "here and there signs of hope are present," although he did not elaborate.

Last night, in a packed St Peter's Basilica decorated with red poinsettias, the frail pontiff, 82, presided over Midnight Mass, ushering in one of the most joyous Christian holidays amid mounting tensions between Washington and Baghdad.

"Jesus is born for a humanity searching for freedom and peace," the Pope, celebrating the 25th Christmas season of his reign as head of the world's one billion Catholics, said.

Hours before, the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, headlined its Christmas editions: "Humanity can win the 'battle' of peace."

"While the clouds of war lengthen, the minds and hearts of men in all continents are drawn to Christmas," the newspaper wrote in a front-page article.

It is the latest in a chorus of Vatican voices coming out against a war in Iraq, which the US says is harbouring weapons of mass destruction.

In recent days, top Vatican officials have said a "preventive" war against Iraq had no legal justification and could spark an anti-Christian campaign in the Muslim world.

Archbishop Renato Martino, the prefect of the Council for Justice and Peace and the Vatican's former UN envoy, told journalists that a preventive war was a "war of aggression" and therefore not a "just war."

On Monday, the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, warned of the consequences a war on Iraq could ignite in the Islamic world.

"A type of anti-Christian, anti-Western crusade could be incited because some ignorant masses mix everything together," the Rome daily La Repubblica quoted Tauran as saying.