NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- In his Angelus address on Sunday, December 20, Pope John Paul II spoke out against the British- American bombing of Iraq, admitted to bitter disappointment at the failure of international organizations to maintain the peace, and voiced his "profound sorrow" for the suffering of the Iraqi people.

      The Pope told a large crowd of pilgrims that his hopes in international organizations and in the rule of international law have been frequently disappointed. But he continued to pray "that human solidarity and respect for international order will prevail."

      "War has never been and never will be an adequate means for resolving problems among nations," the Pontiff said. He had been warning about the mounting risks in Iraq for a month, he pointed out, and at his November 15 audience he asked international leaders not to lose confidence in "the way of dialog and diplomacy."

      The Vatican had condemned the American announcement of missile strikes on Iraq, saying that the move constituted "aggression."

      Pope John Paul-- for whom the Sunday audience was his first public appearance after a brief bout with the flu-- also noted that as Christmas approaches, it is important to maintain a spiritual outlook, so that the celebration is not merely one of a "folklorish feast," but a recognition of the "profound truth" of the Incarnation.