Promote peace by consistent means: Pope

Vatican City – On the occasion of World Day of Peace, Pope John Paul II, in his message on January 1, 2005, said, “the main requirement is to promote peace, using consistent means, giving importance to dialogue and works of justice, and educating for forgiveness”.

The Holy Father presided at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, attended by all the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, for the World Day of Peace – which coincides with the feast of Mary, Mother of God.

The Pontiff said that the day is “an invitation to Christians, and all men of good will, to renew their firm commitment to building peace.” That commitment, he said – repeating the theme of his World Day of Peace message – should be based upon the advice offered by St. Paul, to “conquer evil with good.”

During his homily the Pope acknowledged the presence of the Vatican diplomatic corps, and made a special point of recognizing the diplomats who represented countries suffering from the aftermath of the Asian tsunami. During the Mass, one of the Prayers of the Faithful was offered for these victims. Those prayers – offered in Russian, Arabic, Swahili, German, Chinese, and Portuguese as well as Italian – also included an appeal for guidance for world leaders, so that they might be effective in promoting peace. The petitions also asked God for an end to terrorism and to “the sad conflicts that continue to bloody Palestine and the nations of Africa.”

During the Mass the Pontiff also offered his thanks to the Vatican officials who work on behalf of peace in the world, notably Cardinal Renato Martino, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

On New Year's Eve, the Pope had presided at the traditional Vespers service and singing of the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the blessings of the outgoing year.