World

Pope Basks And Beatifies

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 7, 2001 / 2:17 PM EST / CBS

Looking over the shores where the Apostle Paul preached, Pope John Paul II ended his odysseys through biblical lands Wednesday with an appeal to end the cycle of Middle East violence in the places he once prayed.

"Once again, today, we hear sad news from the Holy Land of terrible violence even against innocent young people," the pope told more than 200,000 people at an outdoor Mass. "We must intensify our prayers for peace in the land of Jesus."

Two 14-year-old Israeli boys were found bludgeoned to death Wednesday in a cave near a Jewish West Bank settlement in the latest bloodshed.

Since last year, the pope has used his biblical pilgrimages to press for peace in the turbulent region. His latest trip included a stop in Syria, where he condemned the hostilities.

"The future of peace in the world depends on strengthening dialogue and understanding between cultures and religions," said a written papal statement issued before the pope departed for Rome.

CBS News Correspondent Allen Pizzey reports the pope's reception in Malta was ecstatic in a place where 98 percent of the population are Catholic. This is the first time that any Maltese has ever been elevated to the level of beatification. About half the country's population was in the square, with the temperature running up close to 80 degrees, a gentle breeze off the Mediterranean rippling the flag.

It was the last stop on John Paul II's six-day pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul. He came to Malta because St. Paul was shipwrecked here in the Year 60 A.D. and converted the island to Christianity. It's been a strong Catholic, strongly Christian, island ever since. Divorce and abortion are illegal.

"In the footsteps of St. Paul, I have come back to you," said the pope from a raised wooden altar. A canopy shielded him from the bright sun, which glinted off the island's yellow limestone buildings.

The 80-year-old pontiff, who has battled fatigue during the six-day trip, also offered a personal note to others slowed by age and illness.

"I remember and feel very close to the elderly," he said. "To the sick I say: Have hope and be strong."

Malta's Roman Christian history includes centuries under the protection of the Order of St. John, or the Knights of Malta, which turned back a siege by Muslim Ottoman forces in 1565.

The pope added another milestone with the beatification of a revered local priest, the Rev. George Preca, and two 19th century Roman Catholic figures: missionary Nazju Falzon and a cloistered Benedictine nun, Sister Maria Adeodata Pisani. Beatification is the last formal step before possible sainthood.

Preca, who died in 1962, founded the Society of Christian Doctrine, a religious society whose members - both men and women - pledge themselves to celibacy, teaching and a routine of private prayer. The society now has about 1,100 members.

The pope recalled Preca's writings on Christian tolerance nd drew apparent connections with his history-making gestures of reconciliation to Muslims and Eastern Orthodox churches during the trip.

The pontiff also noted the "ecumenical spirit of respect and dialogue" associated with Falzon, who founded a Christian association that attracted many British military members in the former colony.

The pope used the cloistered life of the Italian-born nun to urge for "a renewed appreciation of the deeper theological reasons."

The pope now has beatified 1,235 people in his 23-year papacy and has elevated 477 people to sainthood. This is nearly equal to the totals from all previous popes during the past 400 years.

The pontiff, who turns 81 on May 18, shows no sign of cutting back on his travels despite concern about his health and the mobility-limiting effects of symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.

In June, he plans to visit Ukraine. He will go to Armenia in September, Armenian church officials said.

John Paul was scheduled to return to Rome later Wednesday.