Posted on 01/01/2004 5:55:35 AM PST by HAL9000
VATICAN CITY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The world needs a "new international order" to solve its conflicts and ensure peace, Pope John Paul said in his New Year's Day address on Thursday.The ghosts of 2003 -- when the United States invaded Iraq without United Nations approval -- dominated the pope's first speech of 2004.
"More than ever we need a new international order which draws on the experience and results of the United Nations," the 83-year-old pontiff said at a mass in St Peter's Basilica.
"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society, on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he added.
Speaking at Christendom's largest church, the pope urged people not to lose hope of finding peace in the Holy Land, which the Vatican feels is vital to winning the war on terror.
"The land in which Jesus was born sadly continues to live in a dramatic condition. And in other parts of the world sparks of violence and conflict have not been extinguished either. But we need to persevere and not bow to the temptation of losing hope."
Turning to Africa, the pope paid tribute to his Burundi ambassador, Michael Courtney, killed on Monday in an ambush the army has blamed on rebels who have refused to join a peace process to end a 10-year conflict.
"(He) was tragically killed...while he was going about his mission of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. We pray for him and hope his example and sacrifice will bear the fruits of peace in Burundi and the world," the pope said.
The leader of the world's one billion Catholics, who suffers from Parkinson's disease that makes it difficult for him to talk, seemed alert and read all of his homily in a clear voice.
But it is unclear what 2004 holds for him. For the first time since his election in 1978, the pope enters the new year with no firm plans for travel, although there have been some invitations.
He was particularly weak on his last foreign trip, a visit to Slovakia in September, when aides had to read most of his addresses for him.
Perhaps it relates to a better perspective of the pain and suffering involved in war?
Muleteam1
Perhaps his perspective should be a bit wiser. If we had proceeded in the cold war as the Pope suggests, Poland would still be suffering under communism. Millions would still be enslaved. The Pope should appreciate the role the US plays and the blood we spill defending civilization from barbarian terrorist.
That having been said and disagreeing with His Holiness on foreign policy in this instance, as do most American Catholics and most Americans, I would point out that you are a rather consistent Catholic-basher on this and other threads. Was your mother scared by a priest when she was carrying you or are you just another self-worshiping refugee from the Truth?
In the unlikely event that you are actually conservative and not just playing one on the Internet, do you really think that Catholic-bashing is a winning strategy in a nation 28% Catholic?
He was a Warrior Pope! He played arguably as important a role in bringing down Communism as Ronald Reagan!
I can only surmise that either age has changed him somehow, or the "nothing can ever go wrong" 90s made him soft.
No "international body" is capable of achieving what John Paul II seeks.
"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society, on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he added.
I'm all for international machinery. Without it, Rachel Corrie might still be helping to smuggle terrorists and bombs into Israel.
Go to Blockbuster today! Rent some Walt Disney films stat! Then you will see there are always happy endings!
"Old Yeller" was an anomally!
A pope opposes war and its attendant death and destruction. This is no surprise. Most religious leaders are not cheerleaders for war. The Vatican is also a nation-state with national policies of its own. The pope is both a religious leader and a secular leader. JP II will worry abouit Vatican policy. We Americans will concern ourselves with American policies.
Finally, it was apparent early on that the policy chosen by the conclave that elected the Polish prelate, Karol Cardinal Wojtlywa as pope, enacted a policy for his papacy of moral warfare against the Soviet Union. To become pope, the elected nominee MUST formally accept the policy chosen by the conclave BEFOE it elected him. Cooperation via Solidarnosz with destabilizing the Polish puppet regime of Wojciech Jaruzelski, and the resulting domino effect of destabilizing the rest of the captive nations of Easter Europe and, via cooperation with Ronaldus Maximus and Maggie Thatcher, the Soviet Union itself, JP II faithfully carried out and discharged his obligations to the conclave policy.
JP II is now old and God will relieve him of the burdens of authority when God sees fit. Meanwhile foreign policy is not dogma.
I tend to be a bit persistent on the motives of sinkspur in pope-bashing, however, because persistence is required. We all bear the chains we forged in life as Jacob Marley's ghost observed and, with new posters joining FR each day, reminders of AmChurch duplicity are often in order. You and I may disagree on this but I respect you nonetheless.
God bless you and yours.
I think many of us know the disturbing answer to your question...
The Pope simply is NOT the "leader" of the Christendom.
You correctly oppose the notion that the Arkansas Antichrist had legitimate purposes in Kosovo. It seems too much, however, to accuse Christianity of harboring the likes of Milosevic.
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