Pope John Paul II launched a vibrant appeal Wednesday for all parties in the Middle East to resume dialogue and put an end to violence, during his weekly audience in the Vatican.
"We follow with great anxiety the serious tensions in the Middle East, which is again being rocked by events that have caused many casualties and which did not even spare the holy sites," said the pope before 40,000 faithful in Saint Peter's Square.
He called on all parties to the conflict "to stop the spiral of violence without delay."
"I ask all believers to pray to God for the people and leaders in this region to resume the path of dialogue," he added.
The Holy See said Tuesday after talks between former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres and Vatican officials that an "end to armed clashes and the urgent resumption of dialogue" between Israelis and Palestinians as well as the respect of agreements already signed by the two parties were a priority to settle the conflict - VATICAN CITY (AFP)
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