VATICAN, JUN 5, 01 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Pio Laghi has returned to Rome after visiting the Holy Land and delivering a personal message from Pope John Paul II to Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Cardinal Laghi, who was acting as the Pope's personal envoy, met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. He told a Vatican Radio audience that the two leaders received the Pope's message respectfully, but he did not provide any further details on their reactions.
"It was necessary-- not just useful-- for John Paul II to make such a gesture," Cardinal Laghi said. "The authority of the Pope has a very wide audience."
However, the cardinal-- who once served as apostolic delegate in Israel-- admitted that peace would come to that region only "with great difficulty." He added: "Everyone is asking the question: How can we bring the violence to an end?"
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
5. juni 2001