Climate of trust and collaboration between nations must be restored, says Pontiff

Vatican City, Aug 24, 2008 / 09:12 am

After praying the Angelus on Sunday, the Pope Benedict described his preoccupation with the global rise in tensions and called for the restoration of a climate of trust and collaboration" in international relations.

Pope Benedict noted how recent events have weakened the faith of many that such tensions are definitely confined to the past. But, he added, "It is not necessary to succumb to pessimism!" Instead, nations must actively engage in rejecting “the temptation to meet new situations with old systems.”

Insisting that violence be repudiated, Benedict XVI pointed to the moral force of law and  fair and transparent negotiations to resolve disputes.

Without specifically naming the conflict between Georgia and Russia, the Pope said that disputes relating to “the relationship between territorial integrity and the self-determination of peoples” require a loyalty to their word and a search for the common good to be resolved.

The Holy Father closed with asking his audience to pray that the members of the international community will work generously to restore peace and justice. The Pontiff also prayed, “Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for us!”