Pope Benedict XVI  yesterday/ on Sunday called for dialogue and reconciliation in the Middle East as he prepared to visit.

Pope calls for reconciliation in the Middle East

From his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI  expressed  his deep sympathy for the people in the Middle East. According to the Pope, even though it seems impossible to find solutions to their many problems, they cannot resign themselves to violence and the escalation of tensions. He said a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation must be the priority of all parties involved and he called for the international community to support such efforts. The Pope is due to leave this Friday for a three-day visit to Lebanon. His second trip abroad this year after a trip to Mexico and Cuba in March.