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catharina
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Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Benedict XVI has called on Palestinians and Israelis to show a “jolt of humanity” and to put an “end to violence” by restoring the “truce in the Gaza Strip” that ended on 19 December, which was marked by renewed rocket and mortar attacks by Palestinians on Israel’s Negev region and by Israeli air raids that yesterday alone killed at least 200 people. The Pope has also called on the international community “not to leave any stone unturned to help Israelis and Palestinians out of this blind alley, and not to give in to this perverse logic of confrontation and violence, but favour instead the path of dialogue and negotiations.”
In an addition to the prepared text for today’s Angelus the Pontiff said: “Dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Land, which at Christmastide is at the centre of the faithful’s thoughts and affection in every corner of the world, is shaken once again by unprecedented violence. I am deeply saddened by the dead, the wounded, the material damages, the suffering and the tears of the populations victimised by this tragic chain of attacks and retaliations. The native land of Jesus cannot continue to be witness to so much bloodshed, repeating itself without end. I implore an end to this violence which must be condemned in all its forms, and a restoration of the truce in the Gaza Strip. I call for a jolt of humanity and wisdom in all those who have a responsibility in this situation. I call on the international community not to leave any stone unturned to help Israelis and Palestinians out of this blind alley, and not to give in to the perverse logic of confrontation and violence, as I said two days ago during the Urbi et Orbi message, but favour instead the path of dialogue and negotiations. Let us entrust Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with our fervid prayer for these aims and to Him, Mary and Joseph, let us say: ‘Oh family of Nazareth, expert in suffering, give peace to the world.’ Give it today, especially to the Holy Land!”
Beforehand Benedict XVI had devoted his reflection ahead of the Marian prayer to today’s feast day, dedicated to the Holy Family, one of Christmastide’s celebrations. In a special message to families gathered in Madrid in defence of the family institution, he stressed that the “family is certainly a grace of God which reveals what He is, love; love that is completely free, that is limitless in its support for faithfulness even at times of difficulty or dejection.”
asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14091&size=A
In an addition to the prepared text for today’s Angelus the Pontiff said: “Dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Land, which at Christmastide is at the centre of the faithful’s thoughts and affection in every corner of the world, is shaken once again by unprecedented violence. I am deeply saddened by the dead, the wounded, the material damages, the suffering and the tears of the populations victimised by this tragic chain of attacks and retaliations. The native land of Jesus cannot continue to be witness to so much bloodshed, repeating itself without end. I implore an end to this violence which must be condemned in all its forms, and a restoration of the truce in the Gaza Strip. I call for a jolt of humanity and wisdom in all those who have a responsibility in this situation. I call on the international community not to leave any stone unturned to help Israelis and Palestinians out of this blind alley, and not to give in to the perverse logic of confrontation and violence, as I said two days ago during the Urbi et Orbi message, but favour instead the path of dialogue and negotiations. Let us entrust Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with our fervid prayer for these aims and to Him, Mary and Joseph, let us say: ‘Oh family of Nazareth, expert in suffering, give peace to the world.’ Give it today, especially to the Holy Land!”
Beforehand Benedict XVI had devoted his reflection ahead of the Marian prayer to today’s feast day, dedicated to the Holy Family, one of Christmastide’s celebrations. In a special message to families gathered in Madrid in defence of the family institution, he stressed that the “family is certainly a grace of God which reveals what He is, love; love that is completely free, that is limitless in its support for faithfulness even at times of difficulty or dejection.”
asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14091&size=A
