Vatican City, May 15, 2011 / 09:19 am
Pope Benedict prayed for peace in both Libya and Syria following Sunday’s Regina Coeli.
“I continue to follow with great concern the dramatic armed conflict in Libya that has caused a high number of casualties and suffering, especially among the civilian population.
“I renew an urgent appeal that the paths of negotiation and dialogue prevail over those of violence, with the help of international organizations that are working toward finding a solution to the crisis,” he stated on May 15.
The Pope’s comments came on a day that other key figures called for an intensification of military action in Libya. The head of the U.K.’s armed forces, General Sir David Richards, said he wants to see bombing restrictions on NATO forces eased. He now wants to target direct attacks upon the infrastructure propping up the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.