"Over the last few days, the news from the Holy Land are cause for new and serious concern for everyone, especially owing to the spreading of acts of war in Lebanon and the many civilian casualties". It was said yesterday morning by the Pope, after celebrating the Angelus, from Les Combes (Introd), Valle d’Aosta, where he is spending his holidays. "Unfortunately, the source of these ruthless fights highlighted Benedict XVI is an objective breach of law and justice. But neither terrorist attacks nor retaliations, especially if they bring dramatic consequences on civilians, can be excused. With these methods, as bitter experience has proven, one can do no good". Then, the Pope recalled that July 16th "is the day of the Virgin of the Carmel, a Mount in the Holy Land, a few kilometres from Lebanon, which overlooks the Israeli city of Haifa, which has also been attacked lately". Hence the prayer to "Mary, Queen of Peace, that may She beseech from God the fundamental gift of harmony, bringing the decision-makers back on the way of reason and opening new opportunities for dialogue and agreement. From this perspective, I ask the local Churches to raise special prayers for peace in the Holy Land and all over the Middle East".
