The Pope announces solidarity with those who suffer in the ME region

Pope John Paul II on Thursday voiced his solidarity with all " those who suffer the tiring conflict" in the Middle East. This was expressed in the traditional protocols to offer congratulations on the Christmas.

The Pope also expressed his hope that the " torn holy lands will restore back peace," in his remarks to the visit he held in March to Jerusalem and Palestine.

He on Friday assigned the French Cardinal Roger Itshighari to deliver, personally to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities a message from the Pope on the occasion of the peace day which will be celebrated in the first of January of 2001 in various parts of the world.

The spokesman for the Vatican Yuwakin Navarovals said that the Cardinal will receive the Israeli President Moshe Katsav on January 1st and the Palestinian President on the third of January.