At the end of today’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II expressed his “affectionate participation” in the suffering of the victims of terrorism in Iraq and said that "every day I accompany in prayer the dear Iraqi population who are so intent on rebuilding the institutions of their country."

"I encourage Christians to continue with generosity to offer their own basic contribution for a reconciliation of hearts,” he said.

“I express my affectionate participation in the pain of the families of victims and in the suffering of hostages and of all innocent people struck by the blind barbarity of terrorism," said the Pope