In Easter message Pope urges end to Syria bloodshed

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the altar to celebrate the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the the Vatican, Sunday, April 8, 2012. / AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

(AP) VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI in his Easter Sunday message has urged the Syrian regime to heed international calls to end bloodshed and commit to dialogue.

After celebrating Mass in St. Peter's Square, Benedict voiced hope that Easter's joy would comfort Christian communities suffering because of their faith.

He denounced terrorist attacks in Nigeria that have hit Christians and Muslims alike and prayed for peace in coup-struck Mali.

The pope struggled with hoarseness throughout the Mass before a crowd of more than 100,000 faithful.

Only hours earlier he had led a three-hour nighttime Easter vigil inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Faithful gather in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during the Easter Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Sunday, April 8, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

[woozybarnes]

"In Easter message Pope urges end to Syria bloodshed."

Well, I guess that takes care of that little mess. I'm sure everyone will now lay down their arms because some irrelevant old man in a funny hat said something to someone about something or other. I know I'll sleep better.

[LoveMyPope]

Woozy...believe it or not, a few people listen to the Pope, even if you don't. A few recent examples: Hugo Chavez (who is now praying on his knees), Fidel (and his son) Castro, who allowed Good Friday to be commemorated for the first time in 50 years in Cuba -- yes, a few people are listening. Sorry you are too busy to actually read anything he writes (versus the sound bites through Huffington Post, etc.).

Happy Easter!

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

by LoveMyPope April 8, 2012 9:59 AM EDT
Alleluia, He is Risen! Now, onto the comments above.

Purge pedophiles comment -- he has spoken on this on numerous occasions.
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Speaking on the subject is just jaw-wagging.

If he were indeed a "Holy" man, he would act and purge the filth from this cult rather than protect same..

[woozybarnes]

He's a CEO.

[LoveMyPope]

First, thank you for your service to our country (if you are, indeed, a USMC -- my father was NAVY).

Go to ANY diocese in this country and you will find rigorous screening and reporting procedures in place -- higher than any institution I am associated with (and I am associated with 3 that deal with young people, including the church). Is it perfect? No. But, you obviously have not been reading the news and the strides being made in the Church to deal with this issue. Can more be done? Absolutely! NOTHING abhors me (and every Catholic I know) more than the abuse of children. Please name names of who is being protected -- give specific instances, not just general statements (not stuff from 30 years ago, but stuff happening now). I can assure you (as I know the people in my own diocese who deal with these issues) that ANY misconduct is dealt with swiftly -- with the person (whether he is a priest or not) being removed promptly.

Happy Easter!

[mick7744]

It may or may not be true that prostitution is the world's oldest profession...

But religion is most certainly the world's oldest industry...

Millennia before the Catholic Church, there were conmen in colorful robes who would offer to bless your future crop for a backhander (votive offering)...then blame YOU if the crop failed and have you burned at the stake or something, as an accursed non-believer

The Roman Catholic Church merely raised the level of organized efficient ruthlessness when it came to suppressing other Christian sects (often with violence) who did not subscribe to the preposterous notion that the ONLY way for anyone to have access to God or Paradise was through THEIR church...and by obeying THEIR commands

Meaning that anyone who was not a Catholic...or who pizzed off or defied God's holy Catholic priests...would suffer eternal damnation...and they denounced as heresy dozens of gospels and manuscripts that did not support the views of their four carefully chosen four pitchmen, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...whose testaments most closely reflected the Church's own views...and goals

How could I ever believe in...let alone worship...such a severely limited and pettily vindictive God?

How could anyone?

As a recovering Catholic of half a century's standing, I still choose to believe that some "higher power" exists...but not necessarily one that exerts such micro-management over the trivial happenings of a person...or a planet...or a universe...

I believe "free will" to be another term for "crap shoot" You play the hand you're dealt...endure the misfortune that befalls you...and conduct your life knowing that there will be some sort of recconing

We're given the precious gift of life and with it, a spiritual obligation to better ourselves and our world...to strive to do that which is right and to resist doing that which is wrong...

And on some level...we ALWAYS know the difference...despite the billions of words that have been spoken and written attempting to rationalize, condone and justify the latter... be it for God's benefit or to comply with His (or Her) divine will...for maintaining social order (retaining power)...or for simple political or personal expedience.

Much similar to the manner of certain Supreme Court Justices who have a genius for finding legal reasons and obscure precedents for why some outrageous corporate crime is not "technically illegal"

The most lucid definition of "God" I ever heard was in, of all places, a history of science course in college..."God is that being or deity of which no higher or greater being or deity can be imagined or conceived"

I've always thought myself capable of imagining something infinitely higher and profoundly greater than anything these guys are selling...a stern-looking bearded older gentleman with a scorebook in one hand...a lightning bolt in the other, for example....but then, in today's world...so could most very young Star Trek fans

Only a blasphemous fool would believe in a God that he would presume to comprehend

Sorry to be so long winded...but I've been contemplating this subject for a rather long time

A joyous and peace-filled Easter to all

[LoveMyPope]

Alleluia, He is Risen! Now, onto the comments above.

Purge pedophiles comment -- he has spoken on this on numerous occasions. How about all the pedophiles in the public school system. Do a google search with the following: "teacher arrested". Read and weep.

"Discrimination against women" -- that's your outside opinion. Last I checked, the church is full more of women than men. Go to a Catholic Religious education conference and what will you see? About 80-90% women. Women are at the heart of our faith. There are millions of Catholic women who are perfectly happy not having priestesses (including my wife and my sister-in-law, a nun).

"Read the Bible for themselves?" We tried that back in the 1500's and now have 40,000 Protestant denominations to thank. Go to this page and tell me if the Catholic church is based on the Bible: http://www.catholicapologetics.org/

The Pope is holier than you could ever imagine. Have you read his writings?

Happy Easter Everyone! :) 1 Peter 3: 15

[fedup12]

soooo. bloodshed is no good unless they are at the heart of it.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Pope Benedict XVI in his Easter Sunday message has urged the Syrian regime to heed international calls to end bloodshed and commit to dialogue.

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I'd be more impressed if he'd heed international calls to purge the pedophiles from his cult.

[rcr4624]

How about praying for an end to discrimination against women and homosexuals by the Catholic Church.

[BogusPeavy]

Nice hat.

[tomsj2]

What? The Pope didn't take the occasion of the resurrection of Christ to inveigh against the evil homosexuals? I'm shocked. Truly. Where are his priorities? Either he's getting old, or he has medicated against excessive bile.

[smc021-2009]

Alleuia He is Risen!!!!

[Paul_M_Price]

Praise the Lord!