[Cicero]

Benedict XVI then addressed relatives of the Italian soldiers who lost their lives in a bomb attack in Nassiriya, Iraq, four years ago. "May the memory of these our brothers, and of others who have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives for the noble cause of peace, contribute to supporting the journey to hopeful rebirth of the dear Iraqi people."

The press sometimes misrepresents the Pope as a pacifist. Of course he wants peace. We all want peace. But sometimes peace has to be bought with the lives of soldiers in a just war. It seems to me that is what he is saying here.

True soldiers do not give their lives to perpetuate war. They give their lives in the hope that a just peace can be won and innocents can be protected by fighting a just war.

[sandhills]

Amen.