Vatican City, Jun 29, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II today expressed his wishes and prayers for the new Iraq on the occasion of the transfer of power to the interim government in a telegram sent to His Excellency Sheikh Ghazi Ajeel Al-Yawar, president of Iraq.
The Holy Father’s message reads as follows:
“On the happy occasion of the transfer of power to the Interim Government of the State of Iraq, the Holy Father sends his cordial greetings to Your Excellency and to the citizens of your country.
He prays that, as a new chapter begins in the life of the nation, the hopes of the Iraqi people for peace, freedom and prosperity will soon be fulfilled. His Holiness has always been deeply concerned for the suffering people of Iraq. He has expressed his solidarity with them on many occasions, not least through the constant presence among them of his personal representative, the Apostolic Nuncio.