Pope: 'Large part of humanity' opposes war

Pope: 'Large part of humanity' opposes war



VATICAN CITY (AP) — The vast antiwar movement in the world shows that a "large part of humanity" has rejected the idea of war as a means of resolving conflicts between countries, Pope John Paul said in a message released today.

The Pope, a staunch opponent of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, sent his message to Roman Catholic military chaplains attending a Vatican-organized course on humanitarian law.

He said that the course was being held "at a difficult moment in history, when the world once again is listening to the din of arms" and that thoughts about the victims, the destruction and the suffering produce "deep worry and pain."

By now, he said, "it should be clear" that except for self-defence against an aggressor a "large part of humanity" has repudiated war as an instrument of resolving conflicts between countries.

He cited the "vast contemporary movement in favour of peace" around the world and said he took "comfort and hope" from the efforts for peace by various religions.

In the months before the Iraq war began, John Paul lobbied in favour of a negotiated solution, saying there was no legal or moral justification for military action.

In his message to the chaplains, the Pope stressed the need to respect the dignity of military adversaries and civilians "even in the midst of the harshest fighting."



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