The Pope expressed this conviction today when receiving the letters of credence of Mohammed Jaham Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, the new ambassador of Qatar to the Holy See. Part of the papal address was dedicated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Holy See “never loses an occasion to remind the international community of its duty to act with insistence before the parties in dispute so that they will commit themselves to genuine negotiations,” the Pope said.
“There will be no genuine peace in this region without reciprocal relinquishment of violence and without recourse to courageous dialogue that will lead to recognition of the right of each one to live freely in his land, in respect of justice and the security of all, in particular around the holy places,” he added.
“May that much desired day come in which this land, so loved by all the children of Abraham, will again see the return of peace!” the Pope exclaimed.
On Thursday, John Paul II appealed to Palestinians and Israelis for “concrete acts” of peace when he received Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Silvan Shalom in audience.
