Given the escalation of the situation the Middle East, the Pope "follows with great concern the fate of all the populations affected and launches, for next Sunday, July 23rd, a special day of prayer and penance, inviting the pastors and the congregations of all the special churches as well as the believers of the world to beg God for the precious gift of peace". In particular, Benedict XVI wishes "a prayer will be raised to the Lord, that shooting will cease on both sides, that humanitarian corridors will be immediately established to bring aid to the suffering populations, and reasonable and responsible negotiations will be opened to put an end to the objective situations of injustice that exist in that region", as the Pope had already said at the Angelus on Sunday 16th July. He also made wishes for the fighting sides: "The Lebanese reads the Vatican message are entitled to have the integrity and sovereignty of their country respected, the Israelis are entitled to live in peace in their State, and the Palestinians are entitled to have their own free and sovereign homeland". "At this painful time it is the conclusion of the statement from the newsroom of the Holy See His Holiness also makes an appeal to the charity agencies, that they may help all the populations affected by this cruel conflict".
