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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 20:06 21/10/2007 Italian PM to Sheetrit: I'll do what I can to help free troops By Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: Rome, Pope  Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Sunday told visiting minister Meir Sheetrit that he would do all he can to help ensure the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces troops. During their talks in Rome, Prodi and Sheetrit also discussed the Middle East peace process and the Iranian nuclear threat. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI told Sheetrit that he planned to visit Israel. Advertisement Pope Benedict told religious leaders, including Christians, Jews and Muslims, on Sunday during an interfaith conference that religion must never be allowed to become a vehicle of hatred. The Pope spoke forcefully against invoking the name of God in any religion "to justify evil and violence." "Faced with a world lacerated by conflict, where violence is still justified in the name of God, it is important to reiterate that religions must never become a vehicle of hatred," the Pontiff said. "On the contrary, religions can and should offer precious resources to build a humanity of peace, because they speak of peace at the heart of man." The Pope addressed scholars and religious leaders attending a three-day inter-faith gathering in the southern Italian port city of Naples. The conference is called "For a World Without Violence: Religions and Cultures in Dialogue." Less than two weeks ago more than 130 Muslim scholars called for peace and understanding between Islam and Christianity, and said the world's survival could be at stake. The Pope sat down to lunch on Sunday with one of them, Izzeddin Ibrahim, a cultural adviser to the government of the United Arab Emirates. "With respect for the differences between different religions, we are all called to work for peace and an effective effort to promote reconciliation between peoples," the Pope said. The Pope also met religious leaders including Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger, the spiritual head of Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the head of the world's Anglicans. Related articles: WJC leaders meet Pope, discuss Iran and dialogue with Muslims ADL urges Pope to suspend Pius sainthood over Holocaust inaction Israel denies report that abducted IDF soldiers were turned over to Iran Wife of abducted soldier: Israel did not receive info on soldiers Bookmark to del.icio.us Peres apology The President apologized to Kafr Qasem villages for the massacre of 1956. Gaza: The Sequel 'There is no other option' but another round of war. But will it be any different this time?   1.   DejaVu all over again 21:10  |  Natallie Durson 21/10/07   2.   The FOOL! 05:39  |  Paul 22/10/07   3.   Italy is NOT the Vatican! 12:15  |  Ruth 22/12/07

Today Online Report: Hamas mulling unconditional Gaza truce with Israel Responses: 285 Peres apologizes for Kafr Qasem massacre of 1956 Responses: 169 Attempt to exchange messages between Israel and Syria fails Responses: 51 U.S. envoy: Peace education is the only way to end this conflict Responses: 79 Ramon: 70 MKs support settler compensation plan Responses: 103 Rosner's Domain Riedel: "Israel will attack Iran" (WTR) Hijacked by the demanding, spoiled Bar Mitzvah families Romney to Evangelicals, like Messianic Jews to Jews (WTR) Rosner's Guest: deNazify the Palestinian culture More Headlines 12:51 Report: Hamas mulling unconditional Gaza truce with Israel 12:47 UN: PA donors' conference is step towards Palestinian state 08:34 President Peres apologizes for Kafr Qasem massacre of 1956 09:21 Egyptian guard killed by drug smugglers on border with Israel 07:51 Report: Sacha Baron Cohen to retire alter-egos Borat and Ali G 04:43 Rice: U.S. open to Iran, Syria talks if they change policy 06:57 Historic New York City matzo factory on sale for $25 million 12:46 Hadera man, 23, killed in traffic accident near Havatzelet Junction 06:56 A changing Reform movement attempts to resurrect Shabbat 21:29 Top Hezbollah official blasts Bush, says Lebanon rejects his tutelage Previous Editions Select Day 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec

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