Pope appeals against Mid-East bloodshed

Nicosia, 07 June-(ANA)-Pope Benedict XVI has called for an urgent international effort to resolve tensions in the Middle East, at the end of a three-day trip to Cyprus.

The Pope used the trip to draw attention to the plight of Christians in the region, whom he said were being both persecuted and ignored.

He ended the visit with a Mass attended by Middle Eastern pilgrims.

A lethal Israeli raid on a ship trying to break the Gaza blockade has focussed attention on the Middle East conflict. (ANA)

FA/ANA/07 June 2010----------