Pope Backs Israel’s Right To Exist and Palestinian State

ROME – Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI called on world leaders to work towards a peaceful solution to the crisis over Iran’s nuclear threat as he delivered his first Easter message from a balcony at the Vatican.With the stand-off between Tehran and the major powers causing anxiety worldwide, the pope said there should be “serious and honest negotiations” to find “an honorable solution for all parties.”He reaffirmed the “just right to exist in peace” of Israel, which has been threatened by Iran’s hard-line regime. But he also called for a separate state that “truly” belongs to the Palestinian Arabs.More than 100,000 worshippers in St Peter’s Square applauded the pope, who was also celebrating his 79th birthday, as he called for peace on earth among different races, cultures, and religions “in order to remove the threat of terrorism.”The pope, resplendent in cream and gold, stood for nearly half an hour on the balcony to deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing, to the city of Rome and to the world.Despite staying up late for an Easter vigil that continued into the early hours of the morning, the pope appeared strong and steady.“Christ is risen,” he proclaimed, his arms aloft. His blessing, which he delivered in 62 languages, including Hebrew and Arabic, was broadcast across the globe.The steps of St Peter’s were covered in a carpet of thousands of white lilies and yellow narcissi to represent the Vatican’s colors. The flowers had been sent from Holland along with azaleas and rhododendrons.Last year, Pope John Paul II had been too weak to speak, but insisted on raising his hand to bless the gathered worshippers. A few days later, he died.Yesterday, the pope mentioned the situation in Iraq, and prayed for an end to “the tragic violence that continues mercilessly to claim victims.”Much of his blessing focused on Africa. He prayed for relief to the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, the Ivory Coast, Uganda, and Zimbabwe and “other nations which aspire to reconciliation, justice and progress.” The situation in Darfur, in Sudan, was “no longer sustainable.”The pope also had a message for Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy and his jubilant electoral rival, Romano Prodi.He asked for “concord” between the squabbling sides and for “authentic development for the benefit of all.” Italy has been paralyzed since last week’s election, with Mr. Berlusconi refusing to accept his apparent loss.Meanwhile, the German pope’s elder brother, Georg Ratzinger, lamented that God had separated them in the “autumn of our lives.” Father Georg, 82, is now retired, but had been the choirmaster of Regensburg, in Bavaria.He said that while the brothers sometimes disagreed on religious matters, Benedict’s “election to the supreme pontificate has not brought about any change between us. Our conversations and affections and the warmth between us when we meet are the same.”

Pope Backs Israel’s Right To Exist and Palestinian State

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