Pope Paul VI, In his Christmas address to the College of Cardinals yesterday, called for peace in the Middle East “not saturated with hatred and future vindictiveness.” He urged that free access to the holy places of the three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, be guaranteed “by an institution of international character with special regard for the historical and religious physiognomy of Jerusalem.” The Pope also called for respect for all communities in the Holy Land to freely enjoy their religious rights, and praised the United Nations Security Council’s decision to send a representative of the Secretary-General to the Middle East on a peace-seeking mission.
The Papal call for free access to holy places seemed to indicate that the Vatican has ceased to press actively for its long-term objective of internationalization of Jerusalem, and has begun to work instead for some form of international guarantee, possibly by the United Nations, the World Court, or through a new body under U.N. aegis, in which the three religions would be represented.
Pope Paul said that he considers the United Nations resolution of November 22, which established the mission of Ambassador Gunnar Jarring, to be “the first positive step” on the road to peace, and hoped that it would have the “sincere support” of all responsible leaders. He called for intensified aid to the “old and new refugees,” the “poor and impotent victims” of conflict in the Middle East.
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