I was privileged to have been sent by the Holy Father as his Special
Envoy to President George Bush. I assured him of the Holy Father's great
esteem and affection for the American people and the United States of
America.
The purpose of my visit was to deliver a personal message of the Holy
Father to the President regarding the Iraqi crisis, to expound upon the
Holy See's position and to report on the various initiatives undertaken by
the Holy See to contribute to disarmament and peace in the Middle East.
Out of respect for the President and because of the importance of this
moment, I am not in a position to discuss the substance of our
conversation, nor am I able to release the text of the personal letter of
the Holy Father to the President.
The Holy See is urging those in positions of civil authority to take fully
into account all aspects of this crisis. In that regard, the Holy See's
position has been two-fold. First, the Iraqi government is obliged to
fulfill completely and fully its international obligations regarding human
rights and disarmament under the UN resolutions with respect for
international norms. Second, these obligations and their fulfillment must
continue to be pursued within the framework of the United Nations.
The Holy See maintains that there are still peaceful avenues within the
context of the vast patrimony of international law and institutions which
exist for that purpose. A decision regarding the use of military force can
only be taken within the framework of the United Nations, but always
taking into account the grave consequences of such an armed conflict: the
suffering of the people of Iraq and those involved in the military
operation, a further instability in the region and a new gulf between
Islam and Christianity.
I want to emphasize that there is great unity on this grave matter on the
part of the Holy See, the Bishops in the United States, and the Church
throughout the world.
I told the President that today, on Ash Wednesday, Catholics around the
world are following the Pope's request to pray and fast for peace this
day. The Holy Father himself continues to pray and hope that all leaders
who face difficult decisions will be inspired in their search for peace.