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Pope Slams Iraq War

Speaks to faithful in Palm Sunday Mass

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2008 1:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI harshly criticized the Iraq war today at the close of a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the AP reports. “Enough with the slaughters. Enough with the violence. Enough with the hatred,” he said to applause from a crowd of thousands.
He said the war “provoked a breakup” of Iraqi civilian life and urged the country’s factions to work toward "reconciliation, forgiveness, justice, and coexistence among tribal, ethnic, and religious groups."

The pope’s words come days after a kidnapped Catholic archbishop’s body was found in northern Iraq. Benedict also addressed the faithful, questioning the impact of greed and worldly desires on faith, Reuters reports. “Is our faith pure and open enough?” he asked. He called on listeners, many carrying giant palm fronds, to “see with a young heart which isn't blocked by prejudice.”

Pope Benedict XVI reads his homily during a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI reads his homily during a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates an open-air palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is the start of the church's most solemn week, which includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion and death...
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates an open-air palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is...   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Nuns and faithful are seen in St. Peter's square as Pope Benedict XVI, unseen, celebrates an open-air palm Sunday mass at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is the start of the church's most solemn week, which includes the Good...
Nuns and faithful are seen in St. Peter's square as Pope Benedict XVI, unseen, celebrates an open-air palm Sunday mass at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's...   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI tours St. Peter's square at the end of an open-air palm Sunday mass at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI tours St. Peter's square at the end of an open-air palm Sunday mass at the Vatican, Sunday, March 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI preaches to faithful during an open-air Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican Sunday, March 16, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI preaches to faithful during an open-air Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's square at the Vatican Sunday, March 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Maurizio Brambatti, pool)
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Pope Benedict XVI • Vatican • archbishop • mass • Palm Sunday • Iraq war • Paulos Faraj Rahho

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