» 06/04/2004 20:58 vatican Pope-Bush: Work with the U.N. for Iraq, Palestine, Africa
Spokesman of the Vatican Press Office: "cordial meeting"
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Iraq and the Holy Land were the focus in today's meeting between John Paul II and U.S. President George W. Bush. Mentioning them together, the Pope called for efforts, with "the active participation" of the international community and in particular the U.N., "to ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people". The creation of a new government in Baghdad is for John Paul II an encouraging step forward and prompted him to express the desire that "a similar hope for peace also be rekindled in the Holy Land and lead to new negotiations, dictated by a sincere and determined commitment to dialogue, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority." With this reference to events in Iraq and the Holy Land, the Pope went on to the question of terrorism which, since September 11th ("a dark day in the history of humanity"), "seriously affected normal and peaceful relations between States and peoples". And, "in the past few weeks other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civic and religious conscience of all, and made more difficult a serene and resolute commitment to shared human values: in the absence of such a commitment neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome." Words that seem to point to some of the most recent episodes of violence, from the kidnapping and killing of hostages to the torture inflicted on Iraqi prisoners. This was Bush Jr.'s third visit to the Vatican, his first since the outbreak of war in Iraq: a statement by Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro referred to the meeting with John Paul II as "very cordial" and said there were "convergences" on the question of the normalization process in Iraq. It also stressed the Pope's appreciation for the U.S.'s committment to Africa and for its promotion of "moral values" in American society, especially concerning the family. Arriving in the Vatican shortly after noon, the President, wearing a dark blue suit and a light blue tie, was accompanied by his wife, Laura, in a black dress and veil, in accordance with Vatican protocol. This visit to the Vatican was very important to Bush, to the point that he had adjusted his travel plans in Europe to make it possible. In meeting with the Pope, Bush aimed to show that differences over the war in Iraq, which John Paul II was very much against, have been overcome. In light of the new Iraqi government, Bush was also looking for support to spend at the U.N. and to make his case at home. On his part, the leader of the world's only superpower limited himself to a very short speech centred around the Medal of Freedom, the U.S.'s highest civil honour, which he awarded to the Pope on behalf of the U.S. Congress in recognition for his efforts in favour of peace, human rights and the defence of life. He expressed on behalf of his government the will to promote peace by working for freedom and human dignity. Bush's behaviour toward the Pope, whom he called "a hero of our times", was almost submissive, lending credence to those who had tied Bush's interest in seeing John Paul II to his re-election bid. As far as the Vatican is concerned, there were things to say and John Paul II said them. The Pope went as far as to recall the Holy See's "unequivocal position" on the Middle East and Iraq, which he said was "familiar" to the President, thanks to "numerous documents", "direct and indirect contacts", and "many diplomatic efforts". But his was not so much a "told you so", as an assertion of coherence to encourage the U.S. government along the only fruitful path, that of a 360 degree international committment, based on multinational collaboration. This path necessarily includes Africa, "where the suffering caused by fratricidal conflicts, pandemic illnesses and a degrading poverty can no longer be overlooked". A fuller and deeper cooperation between the United States and Europe, in the Pope's words, "will surely play a decisive role" in resolving so many great problems. The Pope's encouragement became explicit when he said, "May your visit, Mr. President, give new and powerful impetus to such cooperation", before taking his leave with a "God bless America".
For the complete text of President Bush's papal audience, see:
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