Pope denounces endless spiral of destruction and death in Israel

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday denounced the "endless spiral of death and destruction" in Israel, and urged Israelis and Palestinian authorities to continue to negotiate "to build a peaceful future."

"In recent days violence and horror has again bloodied the Holy Land, feeding an endless spiral of destruction and death," he told thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's square for his weekly angelus.

His call came after a Palestinian gunman shot dead eight students, mostly teenagers, at a Jewish theological school this week in the deadliest such attack in Jerusalem since February 2004.

"I encourage Israel and Palestinian authorities in their intention to continue, through negotiation, to build a peaceful and just future for their people," he...