Pope asks for release of journalists

VATICAN CITY – Pope John Paul II appealed yesterday for the release of two French journalists who are being held hostage in Iraq and condemned a string of violent attacks around the world.

The pope made “an urgent appeal for a halt everywhere to violence, which always tarnishes a just cause, and for the two French journalists to be treated humanely and returned unhurt to their loved ones as soon as possible”. His statement was read for him by a priest during the weekly public audience at the Vatican in Rome.”I have learnt, with great pain and concern, the serious news on terrorist attacks in Israel and Russia where many people died, defenceless and innocent victims,” the ailing head of the Roman Catholic Church said.”Nor does the chain of blind violence end in troubled Iraq, which makes a return to civilised cohabitation impossible.”Nampa-AFPHis statement was read for him by a priest during the weekly public audience at the Vatican in Rome.”I have learnt, with great pain and concern, the serious news on terrorist attacks in Israel and Russia where many people died, defenceless and innocent victims,” the ailing head of the Roman Catholic Church said.”Nor does the chain of blind violence end in troubled Iraq, which makes a return to civilised cohabitation impossible.”Nampa-AFP