Pope Paul VI, troubled by the growing tension in the Middle East, issued a special personal appeal for peace between Arabs and Jews, it was reported in Vatican circles here. They said the appeal was similar to previous messages pertaining to the Vietnam situation. They said the message indicated the gravity of the developing Middle East problem as seen by the Pontiff, on the basis of private information available to him in addition to published reports.
The Papal message was sent to the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem. It said the Pope “was praying fervently” that “all men of goodwill will be ready to receive the divine message of peace.” The message was sent on behalf of the Pope by Vatican Secretary of State Amleto Cardinal Cicognani “with anxiety” because of “the unhappy events taking place which have caused the dear people of the Holy Land further sorrow.”
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