Apr 8, 2007 3:05 pm US/Pacific
Pope: 'Nothing Positive' Happening In Iraq
Benedict XVI Denounces The 'Continual Slaughter' In Iraq
VATICAN CITY (CBS) ―
In his Easter message on Christianity's most joyous day, Pope Benedict XVI decried suffering in the world, lamenting the "continual slaughter" in Iraq and expressing worry over suffering and unrest from Africa to Afghanistan.
"In the Middle East, besides some signs of hope in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestine Authority, nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees," Benedict told tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square.
The pontiff delivered his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Easter address from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica Sunday. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists listened in the square as Benedict noted "how many wounds, how much suffering there is in the world."
He singled out what he called the "catastrophic, and sad to say, underestimated, humanitarian situation" in Darfur--where at least 200,000 people have died and more than two million others have fled their homes since the conflict erupted in 2003.
Benedict also called several other African countries places of suffering, including Congo and Somalia. He described the political situation in Zimbabwe as a "grievous crisis," marked by crackdowns on dissidents, a disastrous economy and severe corruption.
Benedict said only a negotiated solution could end the drawn-out, bloody conflict in Sri Lanka, and said East Timor needs reconciliation ahead of elections.
Earlier he celebrated Easter Sunday Mass on the flower-adorned steps of St. Peter's Basilica.
Easter Sunday is the holiest day in the Christian calendar, marking the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday.
The voices of Choir boys rang across the square. Wearing gold-colored vestments, the pope gripped a slender, silver crucifix as clerics sprinkled incense across the steps. The altar area was ablaze with color — red tulips, orange tiger lilies and yellow broom plants were among the flowers delivered from the Netherlands — and at the end of the service the pope thanked the Dutch for the gift.
Benedict ended his appearance by giving Easter greetings in dozens of languages, including Arabic and Hebrew, and giving the crowd his apostolic blessing.
The Vatican said that TV outlets in 67 countries had arranged satellite links for the Easter service.
The boulevard leading from the Tiber River to the square was filled with numerous languages and tourists, toting backpacks and wearing hats against the sunshine, headed toward the Mass site.
After Sunday's events, Benedict heads to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the Alban Hills south of Rome, for a few days of rest.
When he returns to Rome, Benedict has two important dates on his calendar: his 80th birthday on April 16, and the second anniversary of his election as pope three days later.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
