Pope wants new international order to keep peace

Reuters | January 1, 2004 | Claire Soares

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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.

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"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.

I respectfully disagree.

[G.Mason]

The Pope needs to find a nice soft couch and have a rest.

What is it about getting old that makes cowards of us all.

[sinkspur]

It was the "international order" that produced terrorism, that tolerated terrorism, and that cowers in fear of terrorism.

"Can't we all get along" won't work, your holiness. Not anymore.

[Bluntpoint]

Maybe there is a reason he wears a pointy hat:

[Texan5]

With all due respect, Your Holiness, I must disagree-please concern yourself with spiritual leadership and leave peacemaking and foreign policy to those with expertise in that area....(and that certainly isn't the UN or anyone like them!)

[sneakers]

As a Catholic, I love JPII dearly. However, I cannot agree with him on this.

[10mm]

His Holiness should be exhorting Christian Warriors to smite the Muslim devils and drive them from the Holy Land. Having Bethlehem draped in posters of Arafat during Christmas was the last straw.

The world needs a Warrior Pope. Not an appeaser.

[Desdemona]

This is from Rueters. Take it with a grain of salt.

[TomGuy]

"...which draws on the experience and results of the United Nations,"

Oh yeh, that instills confidence.....Nah, we should just continue to maintain and support our own sovereignty and defense and leave the UN to the socialist world.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

My mother taught me, 'if you can't say something good about a man say nothing at all."

Nothing.

[duckman]

With all due respect, you need to take care of your priest problem first, before tackling non spiritual issues.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Without being disrespectful to his holiness, I think he should be more concerned about keeping perverted priest's hands off of children.

[joesnuffy]

A new international order

..anything like a new world order

[sneakers]

</>"This is from Rueters. Take it with a grain of salt."

I'm sure you are probably right. The press consistently misquotes him.

[Loyal Buckeye]

"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."

That international order is in its early stages -- Either you are with us or you are against us.

The Pope should realize that wishing that something exist is a lot different than actually having something exist. The UN is a debating society and its predecessor, the League of Nations, fail(ed) on the big issues.

[Bluntpoint]

Yeah! He really said:

"Bush rocks. Koffi has a small weenie."

Unless he really said what he said.

Then some cardinal made him say it.

[facedown]

...when the United States invaded Iraq without United Nations approval...

Whoops, as far as this tripe is worth reading.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Agreed.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I also disagree. The Pontiff's failing health is obvious.

[Muleteam1]

>>What is it about getting old that makes cowards of us all.<<

Perhaps it relates to a better perspective of the pain and suffering involved in war?

Muleteam1