Pope Paul to-day [January 1] failed on the Big Powers to try every possible means of ending the Viet Nam war and avert the disaster of a wider and endless conflict. He was speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of World Peace Day. The Pope said, “Behold new, terrible obstacles arise to complicate with new problems and new threats, this intricate question, increasing dangers, rancours, ruins, tears and victims.” Apparently referring to the danger of the Viet Nam war engulfing Laos and Cambodia, he said: “We would wish to ward off, the tremendous disaster of a spreading war, an endless war.” “We dare to exhort the powers involved in the conflict to attempt every possible means that could lead to an honourable solution of the sorrowful dispute.” The Pope, who recently launched a new Viet Nam peace initiative and conferred with President Johnson, said he was also appealing to international organisations which might be able to intervene in the conflict. “We beg the parties in conflict to establish a sincere and lasting truce in this struggle which is so grave and merciless.”
“Is it not perhaps desirable by all, and is it not perhaps possible in a practical way that fair negotiations might re-establish peace between the inhabitants of that beloved and noble country, guaranteeing their independence and liberty.” “We think so. We hope so. ‘in spe[s], contra spem’ hoping against hope,” he said.
