Vatican City, Nov 17, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Receiving the leaders of three religious communities in Azerbaijan this morning – Russian Orthodox, Muslim, and Jewish – Pope John Paul II said: "Muslims, Jews and Christians, in the name of God and civilization, together...we appeal for an end to violence” in the world.
The Pope recalled "the trip that God allowed me to make" to Azerbaijan in 2002 and welcomed Jeque-Ul-Islam, head of the presidency of the Muslims of the Caucasus Region, “which constantly makes an effort to build up peace in an area where, unfortunately, violent conflicts continue,” Bishop Aleksandr of Baku in the region of the Caspian Sea, “part of the Russian Orthodox Church, to which I am united through affection and esteem,” and the head of the Jewish Community of the Mountain, “an old community that offers an example of coexistence and fraternal collaboration in a context which is Islamic in majority."
"I hope with all my heart that peace returns to Azerbaijan,” said the Pope, “and that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabaj is resolved soon. This challenge, as well as others, should be addressed with good will in the mutual search for reciprocal openness and understanding and with a true spirit of reconciliation."
He asked God to help the religious representatives "to build up peaceful coexistence, one that is ever more positive," between them and the Catholic community in the country.