Pope Benedict with Peres
צילום: עמוס בן גרשום, לע"מ
Pope vows to press Nasrallah for hostages' release
President Shimon Peres meets with Benedict XVI in Rome, asks him to contribute efforts towards attaining release of kidnapped Israeli soldiers
Pope Benedict XVI promised President Shimon Peres that he would apply pressure on Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser.
The two soldiers have been held hostage since they were kidnapped by Hizbullah in a cross border raid last summer, instigating the Second Lebanon War.
The pope told Peres that he would immediately apply full efforts to help attain a sign of life from the hostages.
Peres is presently in Italy for five days of diplomatic talks with the pope and other top government officials. The two met in a closed meeting at the pope's summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo, in Rome's southern hills, for about one hour.
The leaders hold amicable relations, and during the meeting the president invited the pope for an official visit to Israel.
'Iran worships nukes'
Peres updated the pope on security and diplomatic developments in the Middle East. "The root of evil is in Iran, where an extremist religious fanatic rules, who worships the atomic bomb more than he worships Allah," Peres said.
Regarding the conflict with the Palestinians, the president focused on the incessant Qassam attacks from north Gaza, and described the great pain Sderot residents suffer due to the constant threat of attack.
"Israel can't not respond to the Qassams, which are fired at kindergartens and schools, which hit women, children and men that are innocent civilians," he said. The pope responded with understanding and support for the president's position.
Peres also expressed the pain suffered by the hostages' families and asked the pope to help attain a sign of life and advance negotiations for their release. The pope said he would apply the utmost efforts to help the families and promised to address Nasrallah directly.
The two talked extensively about the place of religion in the war against terror. "Religion can play an important role in the fight against world terrorism and in advancing peace," Peres said. "God didn't ask or let any man kill in his name or for his sake."
"Anyone who believes in God and his way – must sanctify life," Peres added.
