The Vatican's official newspaper on Thursday called on the US not to give in to feelings of vengeance and isolationism but to pursue its "vital global role".
This role was being threatened by two temptations, said L'Osservatore Romano in its issue to be published Friday.
"There is a pulsion of vengeance, which is something different from justice, and it should be acknowledged at the most dramatic hour of contemporary history.
"But the problems and diseases that affect the global society at the start of the third millennium cannot be solved by more bombs, more destruction and more massacres," said the Osservatore in an editorial signed by historian Giorgio Rumi.
It was up to politicians, diplomats and international organizations to resolve outstanding issues, remove the causes of conflict and break, with courageous determination, the fatal chain of action and reaction that could only bring new fighting and hatred, it added.
"The sovereignty of law must replace force," said the Vatican paper.
L'Osservatore Romano also warned Washington against any temptation of isolationism, calling it a sin.
"We know about George Washington's warning to keep away from the intrigues and ambitions of European nations", said the paper, but the US should not "renounce its roots."
"Even if it has come under attack, the US cannot give up the very reasons of its existence: freedom, justice for all, the religious foundations of civil coexistence."
The paper also hailed the US role in ending two world wars and the Cold War against communism – VATICAN CITY (AFP)
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