Pope Suspends All Audiences to Pray for Peace



From Zenit News Agency:



John Paul II will suspend his audiences this week to go on retreat and dedicate himself especially to prayer for peace in Iraq and the Holy Land.



The Pope made this announcement today when greeting several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the midday Angelus.



The Holy Father asked the faithful to pray for him and his closest aides in the Roman Curia, who will be on retreat until next Saturday.



"During this week of silence and prayer, I will have present the needs of the Church and the concern of the whole of humanity, especially in regard to peace in Iraq and the Holy Land," he said.