Pope urges world peace through dialogue

Published: 2 January 2005 y., Sunday
Pope John Paul II turned his thoughts to victims of the Asian tsunami disaster in his New Year's prayers as the death toll edged towards 126,000, and urged the world to strive towards peace through dialogue, justice and forgiveness. The 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church addressed a special greeting to ambassadors of countries hit by the "terrible calamity" last Sunday in a sermon he read in its entirety at St Peter's Basilica. "I assure them of my prayers for the victims of the catastrophe and for their families and I take note with satisfaction of the movement of solidarity which is developing everywhere in the world," he added. "This sort of human solidarity, along with the grace of God, gives hope for better days to come in the year that begins today," he said. A Vatican spokesman said the pontiff started off 2005 by celebrating mass in his private chapel at midnight for victims of the disaster that struck six days ago. The pope, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease but was in relatively good form, said World Peace Day Saturday was "an invitation to Christians and to all men to reaffirm their wish to build peace".
Šaltinis: nst.com.my
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Chavez faces hunger strike protest

For three days now these group of Venezuelan students have not eaten any food - they're staging a hunger strike against President Hugo Chavez. more »

The clock is ticking…

Contest challenges young people from Europe and beyond to find creative solutions to real-life problems.EU-sponsored contest challenges young people to think creatively. more »

Hamburg swans sent to winter retreat

In time-honoured tradition it's time for Hamburg's swans to head to their winter quarters. more »

Diplomats will support people with disabilities

On 24 November, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas will attend the ceremony during which the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Lithuania Tong Mingtao will hand over the aid to the residential care centre “Vilties Namai” in Vilnius. more »

Bust airlines: MEPs to vote on setting up compensation fund for stranded passengers

If your airline goes bankrupt and leaves you stuck what are your legal rights? Wednesday at midday a crucial vote will be held by MEPs in Strasbourg that could clear the way for the setting up of a compensation fund for stranded passengers. more »

More EU support for volunteering

EU support for volunteering should be stepped up to €10 million, as part of the 2011 European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship, said the Education and Culture Committee on Monday evening. more »

Rights of the Child: from Paper into Practice

Jacques Barrot and Luc Van den Brande to co-chair conference assessing the implementation of child rights by local and regional authorities. more »

Public asked to help design new citizens’ initiative

Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the commission to act on issues that concern them. But how will the new citizens’ initiative work in practice? more »

Role of Local Communities in Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Ukraine

In Ukraine local communities are directly affected by climate change impacts. more »

16% of Europeans report experiencing discrimination

Ageism is growing problem – or so most Europeans think. more »