VATICAN CITY, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday renewed his call for a cease-fire in the Middle East, saying nothing "can justify the spilling of innocent blood."
"Our eyes are full of horrifying images of the mangled bodies of so many people, particularly children," the 79-year-old pontiff told pilgrims during a weekly audience in St. Peter's Square. He referred specifically to the Israeli attack last weekend in the southern Lebanese town of Qana that killed 56 civilians, mostly women and children.
"I would like to repeat that nothing, anywhere, can justify the spilling of innocent blood," Italy's ANSA news agency quoted him as saying. "With an anguished heart, I renew a pressing appeal for all hostilities and violence to be halted."
The pope said he would continue to pray for the "dear and tortured region."
This was the pope's third appeal for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas since the fighting began July 12.
