POPE ADDRESSES GLOBAL ISSUES IN EASTER MESSAGE

UNCLAS VATICAN 000055 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM VT SUBJECT: POPE ADDRESSES GLOBAL ISSUES IN EASTER MESSAGE ¶1. Pope Benedict XVI called for a rediscovery of the grounds for hope during his Easter day message to "the city of Rome and the world" (urbi et orbi). Reflecting on his recent visit to Cameroon and Angola, the pontiff - who turns 82 on April 16 - said Africa suffers disproportionately for war, hunger, poverty and disease. Benedict said he would repeat his message of justice, truth, mercy, forgiveness and love when he makes his upcoming visit to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. He said reconciliation was a pre-condition "for a future of overall security and peaceful coexistence." This reconciliation, the Pope added, can only be achieved by "renewed, persevering and sincere efforts" to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. ¶2. Pope Benedict offered a renewed sense of hope as the antidote to the ailments afflicting today's world. He said these include food insecurity, the global financial crisis, poverty, climate change, migration forced by violence and depravation, and the threat of terrorism. Full text of the papal message is available on Embassy Vatican's Diplopedia page: http://diplopedia.state.gov/index.php?title=V atican_Policy_ Documents ¶3. Comment. The Pope gives the "urbi et orbi" address every Christmas and Easter day. The Holy See uses it to access a worldwide audience of radio listeners and television viewers that numbers in the billions to emphasize key elements of its current take on major global issues. End Comment. NOYES