Pope calls for an end to Iraq sanctions, says Catholics will share in suffering of Iraqis on day of fast
VATICAN CITY, Dec 11, 2001 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Pope John Paul II called Tuesday for an end to the embargo on Iraq and said the Church would share in the "unjustly inflicted" suffering of Iraqis on Friday, a day of fasting for Catholics.
"I implore the Lord to enlighten the understanding and hearts of those nations responsible (for the embargo), so that they may open in favor of re-establishing a just and lasting peace in this region," John Paul told prelates of the Chaldean Catholic Church visiting from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and the United States.
The pope has frequently called for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions which were imposed against Iraq by the United Nations after Baghdad invaded Kuwait in 1990.
U.N. resolutions say the sanctions can't be lifted until the U.N. Security Council is convinced Iraq has rid itself of its weapons of mass destruction. While many countries have pressed to lift the sanctions, the United States has refused, seeing the embargo as key to preventing the Iraqi government from threatening its neighbors.
The pope didn't mention the United States by name in his comments.
John Paul has invited Catholics around the world to make Friday a day of fasting and to pray for peace and justice in the world in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has noted the day falls in the holy month of Ramadan, the monthlong holiday of fasting and purification for Muslims.
On Monday, he said the fast would also enable the Catholic faithful to know what it's like to suffer and be closer to those who are deprived of food.
"On that day, we will ask God to help your people and open the hearts of men to the sufferings unjustly inflicted on so many of their brothers," the pontiff said.
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