Shimon Peres Visited Vatican to Discuss Problem
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- John Paul II is following «with great anguish» the latest violence that are threatening to undermine the Mideast peace process.
The Pope did not hide his concern from the 38,000 pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter's Square for this morning's general audience.
«We are following with great anguish the acute tension that exists in the Middle East, shaken once again by events that have caused numerous victims,» the Holy Father said. «Not even the sacred places have been spared.»
In face of such a critical situation, the Holy Father said that «I cannot but exhort all to end this whirlwind of violence as soon as possible.»
At least 92 people - all but a few Palestinians or Israeli-Arabs - have been killed and hundreds injured in the West Bank and Gaza since Sept. 28, when violence erupted after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited a disputed shrine in east Jerusalem.
The Pope invited «all believers» to «pray to God so that the peoples and those responsible in that region will be able to retake the way of dialogue to have the joy once again of feeling themselves children of God, their common Father.»
On Tuesday afternoon, Israeli minister of regional cooperation, Shimon Peres, visited the Vatican and met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, and Archbishop Jean Louis Tauran, secretary for relations with states.
According to a statement published by Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls, «during the discussion there was an exchange of opinions on the critical situation in the Middle East.»
The Vatican is confirming «the priority of putting an end to armed confrontations and the urgency to renew the dialogue between the parts, while respecting the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples and of the signed agreements,» the official statement reads.
In statements to the Italian press, Peres said the Middle East peace process «is not dead,» although it must be acknowledged that it is «in hospital in very grave condition.»
Before visiting the Vatican, Peres said during a press conference in Rome that «the conflict has a double dynamic, one political, and the other religious. I believe that when he visited Israel the Pope demonstrated that religions can come together.»
Peres does not believe that the present situation will degenerate into generalized conflict in the Middle East, as «a sixth war in the area would not resolve anything.»
Moreover, he pointed out that Israel has excellent relations with Jordan and Egypt, and has withdrawn its armed forces from southern Lebanon.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
11. oktober 2000