Vatican City (Fides Service) - Once again the conflict in Iraq and a prayer to Mary for its swift end was made by Pope John Paul II when he prayed the Angelus on Sunday 6 April, 5th Sunday of Lent, from his study window with people gathered in St Peter's Square. Referring to the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Pacem in Terris the Pope said: "Forty years ago, 11 April 1963, Blessed John XXIII wrote the encyclical Pacem in Terris, in which he outlined the great lines of effective promotion of peace in the world. The encyclical reveals itself to day to be extraordinarily pertinent. To build peace is a "on-going commitment". The situation of these days shows this in a dramatic way. My thoughts go, in particular, to Iraq and all those involved in the war raging there, I thin especially of the helpless civilians who in various cities are sorely tried. Please God this conflict will end soon to make room for a new era of forgiveness, love and peace".
The Holy Father then entrusted the commitment for peace" above all to young people" in the occasion of World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in every diocese around the world on Palm Sunday, next: "It is indispensable to educate the new generations to peace, which must become ever more a style of life, based - as Pope John teaches - on the "four pillars" of truth, justice, love and liberty. World Youth Days constitute in this sense a marvellous itinerary of educaiton to brotherhood, a laboratory of peace and hope for the future of humanity". After making an appointment with the young people of Rome for a special evening meeting on Thursday 10 April, the Pope called on those who were listening to him to turn "with deep confidence to Our Lady, praying for peace in Iraq and all over the world". See text in Italian at www.fides.org (Fides Service 7/4/2003 EM lines 26 Words: 349)