Pope John Paul II yesterday said he would be inviting representatives of the world's religions to a day of prayer in Assissi, Italy on January 24th. Making his customary Sunday Angelus address in St Peter's Square, the Pope said his call for the day of prayer came against the background of an "international scene that continues to be threatened by worrying tensions".
In a reference to the war in Afghanistan, the Pope called on Christians and Muslims to come together at Assissi.
"It is my intention to invite representatives of the world's religions to Assissi on January 24th, 2002, to pray for the resolution of all conflicting tensions and for the promotion of an authentic peace. Above all, it is to be hoped that Christians and Muslims will come together to proclaim to the whole world that religion must never become the reason for conflict, for hatred or for violence . . . At this historic moment, humanity needs to see acts of peace and hear words of hope," the Pope said.
Making reference to the fact that Muslims have begun the fasting period of Ramadan, the Pope called on Catholics to fast on December 14th, adding: "On that day of fasting, Catholics should pray fervently to God so that he may grant the world a stable peace, based on justice".