September 23, 2001
Pope Makes Dramatic Appeal for World to Avoid War
By REUTERS
Filed at 2:39 a.m. ET
ASTANA (Reuters) - Pope John Paul issued a dramatic appeal on Sunday that the world should not slide into war following the attacks on the United States.
``With all my heart, I beg God to keep the world in peace,'' the 81-year-old Pope said at the end of a mass for some 50,000 people in Kazakhstan, a Central Asian republic which may be caught up in an eventual regional crisis after the attacks.
``We must not let what has happened lead to a deepening of divisions. Religion must never be used as a reason for conflict,'' he said, referring to tensions with some parts of the Islamic world following the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.
``I wish to make an earnest call to everyone, Christians and the followers of other religions, that we work together to build a world without violence, a world that loves life and grows in justice and solidarity,'' he said, reading in English.
``From this place, I invite both Christians and Muslims to raise an intense prayer to the one, almighty God whose children we all are, that the supreme good of peace may reign in the world.
``May people everywhere, strengthened by divine wisdom, work for a civilization of love, in which there is no room for hatred, discrimination or violence,'' he said.
During his sermon the Pontiff also spoke about the need for good relations between Muslims and Christians and said the two faiths should work together to build peace.
The Pontiff's plea came as the United States continued to build up forces within striking distance of Afghanistan, which is believed to be harboring the chief suspect in the September 11 attacks on America, Osama bin Laden.
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement reiterated its refusal to hand over the Saudi militant, in defiance of an ultimatum from President Bush, the Afghan Islamic Press news agency reported on Sunday.
On arrival in Kazakhstan on Saturday, Pope John Paul said all controversies between nations must be resolved by negotiations and dialogue and not force of arms.
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