Pope John Paul appealed yesterday for the release of hostages in Iraq, imploring their captors to show "feelings of humanity"

Pope John Paul appealed yesterday for the release of hostages in Iraq, imploring their captors to show "feelings of humanity", and calling for an end to "inhuman" bloodshed in the Middle East. "I am particularly close in thought and prayer to the families of all those who fear for the fate of their loved ones, especially all those who have been taken hostage," the pontiff said. "I invite the kidnappers to have feelings of humanity," the pope said from his window overlooking St Peter's Square. "I entreat them to give back to the families the persons who are in their hands, while I pray to merciful God for the populations of the Holy Land and Iraq and for all those in that region who work for reconciliation and peace." One of four Italians taken hostage was killed earlier in the week, and the men's families have implored the kidnappers to free the others. "May the bloodshed of brothers' blood cease! Such inhuman deeds are contrary to the will of God," the pontiff declared. He appeared to be referring to the news on Saturday of an Israeli missile strike that killed a Hamas leader and two of his bodyguards in Gaza. Abdel Aziz Rantisi was the second Hamas leader assassinated in less than a month. The latest killing was condemned by many in Europe, including Britain's foreign secretary.