"I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.

Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it."

"On Thursday, 13 September, at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father received Mr James Nicholson, the new US Ambassador to the Holy See, who presented his letters of credence. The meeting, scheduled several weeks ago, came two days after the brutal attacks on New York and Washington. The Holy Father expressed his "profound participation in the grief of the American people" and his "heartfelt prayers for the president and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and, in a special way, for the victims and their families". John Paul II hopes that the United States' immense tragedy will stir the world's conscience:  "I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family". He said that it should pave the way for a "new era of international cooperation"...

Mr Ambassador,

I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence appointing you Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See. You are beginning your mission at a moment of immense tragedy for your country. At this time of national mourning for the victims of the terrorist attacks on Washington and New York, I wish to assure you personally of my profound participation in the grief of the American people and of my heartfelt prayers for the President and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and in a special way for the victims and their families. I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace.

In my recent meeting with President Bush I emphasized my deep esteem for the rich patrimony of human, religious and moral values which have historically shaped the American character. I expressed the conviction that America's continued moral leadership in the world depends on her fidelity to her founding principles. Underlying your nation's commitment to freedom, self-determination and equal opportunity are universal truths inherited from its religious roots. From these spring respect for the sanctity of life and the dignity of each human person made in the image and likeness of the Creator; shared responsibility for the common good; concern for the education of young people and for the future of society; and the need for wise stewardship of the natural resources so freely bestowed by a bounteous God. In facing the challenges of the future, America is called to cherish and live out the deepest values of her national heritage:  solidarity and cooperation between peoples; respect for human rights; the justice that is the indispensable condition for authentic freedom and lasting peace. ..."

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro Valls, travelling with Pope John Paul II in Kazakhstan and Armenia, yesterday granted an interview to Reuters news agency which had asked him for the Holy See's position on the morality of an eventual armed response by the United States in self-defense for the September 11 terrorist attacks on its soil.

He said that a self-defense move by the United States would be understandable but that the Holy See would prefer a non-violent solution to the crisis which has developed since September 11. The Vatican would not accept for innocent people to be hurt, nor would it accept a war on Islam as a religion.

Navarro-Valls said "It is certain that if someone has done great harm to society and there is a danger that he remains free, he may be able to do it again, and you have the right to apply self-defense for the society which you lead, even though the means you choose may be aggressive."

He added that "sometimes self-defense implies an action which may lead to the death of a person. ... Either people who have carried out a horrendous crime are put in a position there they can do no further harm, by being handed over and put into custody, or the principle of self-defense applies with all its consequences."

PV-ARMENIA/SELF DEFENSE:TERRORISM/... VIS 010925

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