VATICAN, May 30, 01 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Pio Laghi has left for the Holy Land, where he will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on a special mission for Pope John Paul II.
The Vatican announced on Wednesday that Cardinal Laghi would act as the Pope's special envoy in the Middle East. He is being accompanied on his diplomatic mission by Msgr. Giovanni d'Aniello, who works in the Secretariat of State, where he a specialist on matters affecting the Holy Land..
The cardinal is carrying a personal message from the Holy Father to Israeli President Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the Vatican revealed. The Pope's hand-written message contains a plea for a cease-fire and a resumption of negotiations.
Cardinal Laghi, the former prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, is now living in semi-retirement in Rome. He is well acquainted with the political complexities of the Middle East, having served as apostolic delegate in Israel from 1969 to 1974.
The Vatican delegation will follow in the footsteps of American special envoy William Burns, who visited Arafat and Sharon on May 27 and 28.
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
30. mai 2001