Published on Friday, June 4, 2004 by the Agence France Presse
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0604-03.htm
Pope Tells Bush Situation in Iraq Must Be "Normalized"
VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II admonished US President George W. Bush over Iraq, telling him the
situation in the occupied country should be "normalized as quickly as possible" with the help of the
international community and the United Nations.The pope, who told Bush his visit to Europe comes at a time of "great concern" over unrest in the Middle East,
also implicitly condemned the recently revealed abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in Iraq."In the past few weeks other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civil and religious
conscience of all, and made more difficult a serene and resolute commitment to shared human values," the
head of the Roman Catholic Church said.In the absence of such a commitment, "neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome," warned John Paul II.
Despite a warm greeting at the Vatican for Bush and his large entourage, Friday's meeting did little to blunt the
sharp differences between the White House and the Holy See over Iraq.John Paul II has been one of the staunchest critics of Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq.
"It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalized as quickly as possible with the active
participation of the international community and in particular, the United Nations Organisation, in order to
ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people," the 84-year-old said in
a haltingly-read statement.In another allusion to differences over Iraq, the pope said that a "fuller and deeper understanding" between
Europe and the United States "would surely play a decisive role" in resolving the problems he had mentioned.Bush, describing John Paul II as "a devoted servant of God who has championed the cause of the poor",
presented the pope with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, his country's highest civilian award.Bush praised John Paul's "moral conviction".
"He has given courage to others to be not afraid in overcoming injustice and oppression. His principled stand
for peace and freedom has inspired millions and helped to overcome communism and tyranny," said the
president.According to the White House, recipients of the medal are "those who have made outstanding contributions to
the security of the United States or to world peace, or those who have made a significant public or private
accomplishment".Among its approximately 400 previous recipients was Pope John XXIII.
The president had earlier spent around 15 minutes with John Paul II in his private library at the Vatican,
stooping to shake hands with him when he entered.At the end of their private discussions, they posed for photographs with the president and his wife Laura
flanking the pope. Bush then held a brief meeting with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.US Secretary of State Colin Powell was among the large presidential delegation which rolled through the
Vatican gates shortly after noon.They were greeted in the Saint Damasus courtyard inside the world's smallest state by the Prefect of the Papal
Household, Bishop James Harvey, and a line-up of the Swiss Guard.
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Sunday March 16, 2003 1:30 PM
VATICAN CITY (AP) -
Pope John Paul II, in one of his strongest appeals yet against war in Iraq . . .
`` . . .the use of force represents the last resort, after having exhausted every other peaceful solution, according to the well-known principles of the U.N. Charter.''
``That is why, in the face of the tremendous consequences that an
international military operation would have for the population of Iraq and
for the equilibrium of the entire Middle East reason, already so tried, as
well as for the extremism which could stem from it, I say to all: There is
still time to negotiate; there is still room for peace.''The pontiff continued: ``It is never too late to understand one another and to
continue to deal with each other.''
Bush told the envoy in a 40-minute meeting that "if it comes to the use of force, he believes it will make the world better," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, who attended the private meeting. "Removing the threat to the region will lead to a better, more peaceful world in which innocent Iraqis will have a better life."
Laghi came bearing the pope's message:
A war would be a "defeat for humanity" and would be neither morally nor legally justified.
The Pope also questioned the President's statements invoking God's name as justification for the invasion.
"God is a neutral observer in the affairs of man," the Pope said. "Man cannot march into war and assume God will be at his side."
In Rome, the pope called for "common efforts to spare humanity another dramatic conflict."
The Vatican stands by its view that a pre-emptive strike on Iraq is immoral unless backed by the United Nations, Laghi said. "It's illegal, it's unjust," Laghi told reporters
Pope John Paul II called on Catholics to fast on Ash Wednesday in the name of peace and said again on Sunday he worried a U.S.-led war against Iraq could unsettle the entire Middle East.
Looking wan and tired, John Paul opened his traditional Sunday remarks from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square by denouncing war as a way to resolve the conflict.
"We Christians in particular are called upon to be sentinels of peace," John Paul said, calling on Catholics to dedicate their fasting on Ash Wednesday, March 5, for the cause of peace.
On that day, the pope said, faithful will pray for "the conversion of hearts and the long-range vision of just decisions to resolve disputes with adequate and peaceful means."
He said that the fast, which Catholics traditionally conduct at the start of Lent to prepare themselves for Easter, is an "expression of penitence for the hate and violence which pollute human relations."
Fasting, an ancient practice shared by other religions, he said, also lets faithful "shed themselves of all arrogance."
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