Pope Follows With Relief Lebanon Developments
Pope Benedict XVI called Thursday on leaders across the Middle East to work for peace, saying he had followed "with gratitude and relief" recent developments in Lebanon.
The pope said he is praying "ardently" for the ability to visit the Holy Land in person.
In a clear reference to the fragile truce in the Gaza Strip, which began at 0300 GMT, the pope was speaking after meeting with international Roman and Eastern Catholic leaders, including representatives from the region.
"I am launching an appeal to national leaders so that the Middle East, and in particular the Land of Jesus, Lebanon and Iraq, can offer themselves peace and social stability, respecting fundamental human rights, including that of a genuine religious freedom," he said.
"I am praying ardently that I will be able to visit them in person, just as I am praying that certain signs of peace, which I welcome with great confidence, will come to full fruition," he added.
"Peace is the only way to tackle the serious problem of displaced persons and refugees, to put an end to the flight in particular of Christians, which so wounds the Eastern churches."
"Once again, I express the wish that Lebanon will find the courage to fulfill its vocation as an example to the Middle East and the world at large of peaceful and constructive co-existence between men," he added.