Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "May the hopes of the Iraqi people for peace, freedom and prosperity be fulfilled" and may all the religions in the country "have their voice heard" in building Iraq's future. This is the greeting the Pope expressed in a telegram sent to the newly-appointed president Al Yawar on the occasion of the transfer for power. "On the happy occasion in which power was transferred to the interim government of Iraq," said the telegram sent by Secretary of State Angelo Sodano on behalf of the Pope, "the Holy Father greets His Excellency and all the citizens of Iraq. He is praying that this new chapter in the history of the country be one in which the hopes of the Iraqi people for peace, freedom and prosperity are completely satisfied." The Papal message reiterates the fact that John Paul II "has always been profoundly touched by the suffering of the Iraqi people" and that he has expressed his solidarity in many ways, not least through the "constant presence of his personal envoy, apostolic nuncio." In addition, John Paul extends to the newly-appointed president the "support and the encouragement of the whole Catholic Church to the task of building of a new Iraq." "Your noble country, Abraham's birthplace," says the text, "is today home to a rich variety of faiths and traditions and the Holy father is confident that all religious groups in the country will be able to voice their concern and play their rightful role in building a new society, committed to freedom of conscience, justice for all and peaceful dialogue."
