Pope Benedict Stays Neutral On Libya Attacks

By Francis X. Rocca
Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI voiced "fear and trepidation" about the "disturbing news coming from Libya" in a carefully worded statement that neither endorsed nor condemned U.S. and European attacks against Libyan dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi.

Benedict made his statement on Sunday (March 20), following his weekly recitation of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, saying he was praying "for those involved in the dramatic situation" in Libya.

The pope also made an "urgent appeal to all political and military leaders, that they take to heart, above all, the safety and security of the citizenry and ensure access to humanitarian relief."

"I ask God that a horizon of peace and harmony may arise as soon as possible on Libya and the entire region of North Africa," Benedict said.

The Vatican strongly opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, in part because that invasion lacked the authorization of a United Nations resolution. But the Vatican has not taken a position on the attacks on Gaddafi, which were approved last week by the U.N. Security Council, responding to the longtime Libyan leader's use of violence against civilians in his efforts to put down a rebellion.

Comments

[blackjack46]

12:38 PM on 04/05/2011

Interesting that so many people on this blog would deny the most highly visible religious leader on the planet from making staements regarding the morality of certain actions, in this case speaking out against civilian deaths in Lybia. From the comments on this blog, one can only assume that most of the bloggers are in favor of the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.

[dennis1943]

07:49 AM on 03/25/2011

The consumate politician.............

[cameron d]

11:54 PM on 03/23/2011

It's two groups of Muslims killing each other. Is anyone surprised about his indifference?

[blackjack46]

12:45 PM on 04/05/2011

What indifference????? I believe he was voicing concern. Here are his actual remarks. To nay rational person the Pope's position is certainly the most reasonable and moral position.
http://www.zenit.org/article-32140?l=english

[WoollyMittens]

10:02 PM on 03/23/2011

Why would the Vatican care about the massacre of civilians who worship the wrong flavour of God?

[esalter]

03:34 PM on 03/24/2011

Apparently was is no longer a moral issue. Progress?

[blackjack46]

12:11 PM on 04/05/2011

Maybe because killing is against the moral law.

[shaq deisel]

11:56 AM on 03/23/2011

Shut up Popey!

[blackjack46]

12:21 PM on 04/05/2011

Per che?

[shaq deisel]

11:16 AM on 03/23/2011

As long as he is getting paid and millions of people are kneeling and bowing down to his falsehoos false idol self, why would he care?

[New Yorker]

10:26 AM on 03/23/2011

To each person here only to malign the Pope, and The Church Founded By Jesus Himself that he leads around the world I say as Christ once said to St. Peter when Peter suggested Jesus avoid dying, " Get Thee Behind Me Satan ! "

Those who change the words of scripture to create what the heresy they want, those mislead others away from Christ and His Divine Mercy are also doing satan's work for him. Know them by their fruits, Good Trees bear Good Fruit.

[shaq deisel]

11:18 AM on 03/23/2011

Yeah and the Pope/Papcy change scripture all the time. Anytime you kneel or bow to another man and his name isn't Jesus Christ, you are bowing/kneeling to a false prophet. Anti-Christ agenda.

[john1513]

01:26 PM on 03/23/2011

That's nice, but the Catholic Church kneels to Christ.

[John Ramsey001]

02:09 PM on 03/23/2011

The Pope kneels to Liberalism?!

[Trismegistus22]

12:07 AM on 03/23/2011

Of course about half of the comments here are simply anti-catholic ravings. While many of them are accurate, there are those which are not so. More importantly, they wander way off topic.
The pope is definitely a player. Like any political player he has a personal and institutional past history and also a vision for the future. All players do! It doesn't take much courage to stay neutral. Notice how few are the comments from the Vatican about most national and international events.
I find it interesting that there are only two men in all the world who capture the involved attention of billions of people. The pope and the Dali lama. I wonder how the world would be different if they both turned to participation in the important events and situations on the earth. Imagine if they spoke of morality and how to act, how to be citizens of the earth. suppose they were not neutral?
Some of us may be non-theists, or devote theists or whatever;but we can't deny the power they could wield for good.
They COULD. But ......
Just my imagining.......

[shaq deisel]

11:57 AM on 03/23/2011

Pope and Dalai Lama, Both false prophets.

[john1513]

01:38 PM on 03/23/2011

Pope's not a prophet. Try again

[Trismegistus22]

08:33 PM on 03/23/2011

That was not my point. In reality there are billions of people who truly care what the pope and the dali lama say. If you, perhaps a proponent of the "false prophet" phraseology, proclaim that being "false" somehow negates their influence, then you miss their power. I am saying that they should step forward and take responsibility for their actions and inactions.
They CAN make a difference.

[blackjack46]

12:19 PM on 04/05/2011

The Pope makes comments on national and international events daily. You are treated to what the local (and mean US press) deems useful. If you wish to check my comments, go to http://www.zenit.org/index.php?l=english. Yesterday alone there were 11 pronouncements from the Vatican.

[the crustybastard]

10:44 PM on 03/22/2011

Dear Huffpo photo editor,

I laughed so hard. Well done!

Love,
crusty

[Godstuff]

05:11 PM on 03/22/2011

The joke is that the VATICAN CITY is recognized as a country. Maybe if it had and aircraft carrier and a few nukes it might be of some interest to other countries involved in conflicts.

Praise Jesus and Allah Akbar

[New Yorker]

07:49 PM on 03/22/2011

When told that the Pope opposed Communism Bloody Joe Stalin is repoted to have said, " How many Divisions does he command ?" I suspect Joe is havin' a hot time these days, and there's no relief in sight. He should've heeded the Pope, but then atheists seldom do.

[Godstuff]

09:43 PM on 03/22/2011

Suspect what is make believe. Allow facts speak for reason and common sense. Unfortunately too many people don't freely think for themselves, therefor all the theocracies at each others throats. With all the misconceptions and dogma no wonder all religions are equally absurd.

[VitruviannMan]

02:17 PM on 03/22/2011

Did anyone ask his political opinion? Last I checked, this guy was reduced to a petty pedophile protector:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/23/deaf-victim-of-sex-abuse-is-suing-pope-and-going-public-with-his-story-for-the-first-time/

[lotus321]

02:06 PM on 03/22/2011

F>>> the Pope and his dress...

[Shanard]

02:22 PM on 03/22/2011

Does the bigotry extend to all religions, or has Catholicism won some sort of special prize?

[VitruviannMan]

02:35 PM on 03/22/2011

Good question.

I'm inclined to say it extends to all religions (not faiths), but Catholicism certainly does have a special rottenness to it.

[mrkurtzhedead]

03:48 PM on 03/22/2011

I am no bigot. All religion is BS.

[leorangerie]

12:00 PM on 03/22/2011

If you're not part of the answer, you're part of the problem.

[the crustybastard]

11:41 PM on 03/22/2011

The Vatican's political dependence on Italy is manifest, so it's not going to make any political trouble for Italy with respect to Italy's former colony, Libya.

Nothing to do with morality, everything to do with politics.

[blackjack46]

01:33 PM on 04/05/2011

You have a lot to learn crusty. Get your nose out of your own crystal ball. It's a liar.

[New Yorker]

11:53 AM on 03/22/2011

The Earthly leader of the church founded by Jesus Christ would not be an endorser of bloodshed so The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is hardly going to give an "Attaboy" to the use of Bombs, and Cruise Missles. But in the Bush-Cheney Cabals' attack and invasion of Iraq, Iraq, unlike Libya at the moment, was not using war plane, heavy arrtillery and tanks to butcher its population. The Pope, then John Paul II, also saw what the rest of the world saw which was that those who had brought the attacks of 9-11-2001 to the US homeland, were in Afghanistan, and Not Iraq, making the unprovoked invasion of Iraq an Unjust and Immoral act of war. Thus attacking Iraq would be the equivalent of say Invading Mexico as a consequence of the december 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.

So the Holy Father is acting properly, and encouraging prayer, and concern for the victims of the libyan tyrant for life.

[sunshine14]

01:18 PM on 03/22/2011

nicely said, thank you.

[lotus321]

02:13 PM on 03/22/2011

The "Holy Father"..what is in that communion you are taking. Are you speaking of the same man who condone the buggering of children.  This office and this religion are notorious throughout history for causing human death.   Also, sho wme where Jesus Christ founded any religion.  I will wait...and don;t give me that Peter is the first pope argument..

[john1513]

03:20 PM on 03/22/2011

Communion = Christ: "This is my body"

What is so confusing about "You are Kephas (Rock) and upon this Kephas I build my church"? If you don't like the "argument" you don't have to listen. But, "Faith comes from hearing."

[Veritas is Pro Life]

09:07 AM on 03/23/2011

lotus321, of course Jesus founded Christianity and the Holy Roman Catholic Church is the truest version of it. The New Testament, all translations, clearly shows how Jesus put Peter in charge, just look at how the other Apostles listened to him in Acts. Yes, there have been sinners from time to time in the Church who have committed and supported evil. These are exceptions and not the rule. The Church has survived because of God's grace and it continues to provide solid teaching for those with the goal of obtaining a place in heaven. Not only does the New Testament show that Peter was the first human Church leader, he ordained men who picked up the mantle of Bishop of Rome after him. All the writings of the Apostolic Church Fathers, like Clement of Rome's letter to the Corinthians, show this. Hope this helps clear up some of your angry confusion. Veritas.

[PrinceO]

10:55 AM on 03/22/2011

hmm I wonder why a man of faith would be neutral on a subject that is so relevent, hmmm kind of make you think.

[New Yorker]

02:09 PM on 03/22/2011

Scotty ! Beam this one back up ! Pronto ! He's got nuthin' for us down here.

[mrkurtzhedead]

03:53 PM on 03/22/2011

You do believe in beaming up as well! The resurrection and the assumption? What a funny presumption!