CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Zenit.org): Pope Benedict XVI is calling for open pathways for humanitarian relief to reach Georgia.
The Pope spoke of the conflict in the Caucasus after he prayed the midday Angelus on August 17 with crowds gathered at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
Georgia and Russia engaged in a brief but bloody conflict that began on August 7 over the status of the disputed regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
“I am following with close attention and concern the situation in Georgia, and feel particularly close to the victims of the conflict,” the Holy Father said.
“While I offer a special prayer for the repose of the souls of the deceased and express my sincere sympathy for all those in mourning, I appeal for generous relief of the serious harm that the refugees are suffering, especially women and children, who even lack what is necessary to survive.
“I appeal for a prompt opening of humanitarian corridors between the region of South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia …”
Pope Benedict affirmed that “ethnic minorities involved in the conflict must be guaranteed safety and the inviolability of their fundamental rights”.
“I call upon the international community to continue offering its support to achieve a lasting solution, through dialogue and the good will of all,” he said.
Meanwhile, Catholic News Service reported that the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to Georgia said the Catholic Church would help mediate a peaceful solution between Georgia and Russia if asked.
“We are always ready to consider a request for mediation and to offer our services,” papal nuncio Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti said.
“But the parties have to want this, and so far no one has asked anything of us.”
Noting that times were tense, he spoke with Catholic News Service by telephone from Georgia on August 21.
“The international atmosphere is colder now, and the current rigidity and insensitivity don’t favour peace,” he said.
“But I’ve called on the international community not to abandon Georgia. Although there’s been no direct reaction to my appeal, there has been an enormous show of solidarity, which Georgians are grateful for.”
The archbishop said “whole Catholic communities have been displaced – the problem now is to organise humanitarian aid properly and help reintegrate refugees”.
