THE Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has responded to the Pope's World Day of Peace message on seeking peace through forgiveness.
The Pope had referred to the need to underpin efforts for peace with forgiveness by leaving behind past divisions and moving towards "a pilgrimage of pence".
Mr Bruton said he warmly endorsed the Pope's view that true peace was built on a recognition of and respect for true diversity. He had wisely noted the particular difficulties in accepting diversity imposed by the "burden of history".
"History is a guide and a signpost but it is in the gift of each generation to transcend past divisions and to build a new future. We on this island have no more urgent task.
"The Pope places a responsibility on government and civil society at all levels to achieve a culture of peace. The Irish Government fully accepts this responsibility. We in Ireland - all of us - must dedicate ourselves to the goal of peace and to building true reconciliation on this island."