Pope urges immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

ROME: Pope Benedict called for an immediate ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hizbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon on Sunday after an Israeli air strike killed at least 40 Lebanese civilians.   

"I cannot help but think of the situation, ever more serious and tragic, developing in the Middle East: hundreds of dead, many wounded, a huge number of homeless and displaced, houses and infrastructure destroyed, while in the hearts of many hatred and the desire for revenge appear to be growing," the Pope said.   

"In the name of God, I call on all those responsible for this spiral of violence so that weapons are immediately laid down on all sides," he said in his Angelus blessing.   

"I ask those who govern and the international institutions to spare no effort to obtain this necessary cessation of hostilities," the Pope added, speaking from the papal summer retreat of Castelgandolfo, south of Rome.