Pope Makes Fresh Appeal for End to Iraq War

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul, making a fresh appeal for an end to the war in Iraq, said on Sunday the conflict was undermining humanity's hope for a better future.
The 82-year-old Roman Catholic leader, who is firmly opposed to the conflict, asked for prayers for peace during his weekly address to pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Square.

Speaking from his window overlooking the square, the pope said "painful armed conflicts are ensnaring the hope of humanity for a better future."
He appealed for prayers "for the victims of the ongoing conflict."

On Saturday the pope said he hoped the human tragedy of the war in Iraq would not set Christians and Muslims against each other and spark "a religious catastrophe."

The pope led the Vatican in a diplomatic campaign to try to avert the war. Before it started, he sent envoys to both President Bush and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The Iraq conflict has put the Vatican on a collision course with Washington because the pope has refused to bless the conflict as a "just war."

The Vatican is very concerned that the war could cause problems for Christians living in mainly Muslim countries.

The pope also confirmed in his Sunday address that he had written the 14th encyclical of his pontificate.
The encyclical -- the highest form of papal writing -- would be dedicated to the theme of the Eucharist. It will be issued next month.



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