Les Combes (AsiaNews) – An immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, humanitarian corridors for aid delivery to the population, starting negotiations for the "right of the Lebanese to the integrity and sovereignty of their country, the right of Israelis to live in peace in their state and the right of Palestinians to have a free and sovereign homeland." Benedict XVI today reaffirmed the principles which the Holy See believes should underpin resolutions to finally end the conflict that has periodically flared up in the Middle East since 1948, when the state of Israel was born. This Sunday was dedicated to prayer and penance by the pope on Thursday to "implore God for the precious gift of peace" in the Middle East.

"I forcefully renew my appeal to parties in the conflict to immediately reach a ceasefire and to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and to search for ways to resume negotiations with the support of the international community," he said today. The pope was addressing a crowd of around 10,000 people who filled the lawn opposite the small villa of Les Combes, where he has been on vacation since Tuesday 11 July. Among those present was a German language choir coming from a small linguistic enclave in Valle d'Aosta and the "Little Angels", a children's choir that performed at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Torino. They left Lodi at 5am this morning to come to sing for the pope, resplendent in their red tops.

Benedict XVI recalled that he had called this day of prayer because of "the aggravated situation in the Middle East". He said: "I offer to God a heartfelt prayer so that the peace aspiration of the overwhelming majority of the population may be realized as soon as possible, thanks to the shared commitment of leaders. I renew my appeal to all charitable organizations to take concrete expressions of common solidarity to these peoples."

He continued: "I take this opportunity to reaffirm the right of the Lebanese to the integrity and sovereignty of their country, the right of Israelis to live in peace in their state and the right of Palestinians to have a free and sovereign homeland. I am especially close to the defenceless civilian populations unjustly struck in a conflict of which they are but victims: both those in Galilee forced to leave in shelters and the large multitude of Lebanese people who, once again, are seeing their country being destroyed and who must leave everything to search for safety elsewhere." He added: "I entrust all humanity to divine love, while urging everyone to pray so that the beloved peoples of the Middle East may be capable of leaving the path of armed conflict to build, with the bravery of dialogue, lasting and just peace. Mary, Queen of peace, pray for us!" After the Angelus, he repeated in English: "Let us remember in our prayers those less fortunate, especially those who are suffering at this time as a result of the tragic conflicts in the Middle East."

The pope also recalled that yesterday "we celebrated the liturgical commemoration of St Mary Magdalen, disciple of the Lord, who occupies a foremost place in the Gospels. St Luke included her among the women who followed Jesus after having been 'cured of evil spirits and infirmities', specifying that 'seven demons had gone out' of her (Lk 8:2). Mary Magdalen would later be present beneath the Cross, with the Mother of God and other women. She would be the one to discover, on the morning of the first day after Saturday, the empty sepulchre, where she remained in tears until the risen Jesus appeared to her (cfr Jn 20:11). The story of Mary of Màgdala brings us all back to a fundamental truth: the disciple of Christ is a person who, in the experience of human weakness, has the humility to ask him for help, is healed by Him and becomes committed to following Him closely, a witness to the power of His merciful love, stronger than sin and death."