Benedict XVI’s representative in the Holy Land appealed for dialogue and prayer to overcome the violence that is currently scourging the Middle East.

Benedict XVI’s representative in the Holy Land appealed for dialogue and prayer to overcome the violence that is currently scourging the Middle East.

Archbishop Antonio Franco, apostolic nuncio in Israel and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, wrote a letter to Catholic ordinaries of the Holy Land, dated July 17, in which he expressed the closeness of Catholic communities worldwide.

The letter reproduces in an annex the words the Pope spoke last Sunday at the Angelus. The archbishop recalled that the Holy Father prayed for the victims and reminded “political leaders of the need and urgency to return to the path of reason and dialogue.”

Echoing the Pontiff’s words, the letter appeals to local Churches to pray that “the Lord will illuminate spirits so that concord and peace will reign in this region of the world rent by injustice and hatred.”

He concluded assuring that “the universal Church joins our Church in the Holy Land to implore the Lord’s help in this very difficult moment.”