vital. pope says , CASTELGANDOLFO, (CNS)-As cess of the negotiations, and he asked Israeli and Palestinian leaders meeting in Arafat and Barak "not to disregard the im­ antees" is the only way to establish religious the United States tried to reach an agree-, portance of the spiritual dimension of the peace in . ment on the status ofjerusalem, Pope John city ofjerusalem with its holy places and "Religious peace in Jerusalem is funda­ Paul II encouraged them to keep the spiri­ with the communities of the three mental for the peace of die city, but it is al­ tual meaning of the city in mind. monotheistic religions which surround so fundamental for die peace of the Mus­ Speaking to visitors at his summer resi­ them." lim, Christian and Jewish world," he told dence July 23, the pope said he. knew the "The continues to maintain that Catholic News Service July 24. negotiations between Palestinian leader only a special internationally guaranteed Archbishop Sambi said regardless of how Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister statute effectively can preserve the most sa­ the sovereignty over die city is divided or JEhud Barak were not easy, but he asked cred places in the holy city and assure free­ shared or not shared, there should be an in­ ternational body — be it from the United ."the leaders to continue their efforts." dom of faith and worship for all the faith­ US-mediated negotiations began two ful who, in the region and throughout the Nations or made up of international reli­ weelcs earlier at Camp David in Thurmont, whole world, see Jerusalem as the crossroad gious leaders or another configuration — to ^,,,and seemed to be mired in the details of peace and coexistence," die pope said. assure that freedom of religion for all three of'.an agreement on Jerusalem, which Is­ In Jerusalem, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, religions is respected within die city. raelis and Palestinians have claimed as their papal to Israel and and apos­ Throughout history, people in political tolic delegate in Jerusalem and the Pales­ power in Jerusalem have tended to favor -cai their own kind, he said. An ujtraorthodox Uew looks to­ At Gastel Gandolfo, south of Rome, Pope tinian Territories, said the Holy See's call ward the Dome of the Rock in for a "special status with international guar- "If the three religions are treated ac­ Jerusalem July 20. John Paul said he was praying for the suc­ cording to a just way diere will be peace."

PIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK VOL. 111 NO. 42 THURSDAY, JULY 27,2000 750 12 PAGES

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t's a state that has sent legations and Despite these facts* an alliance of pro* is die Holy See, or die Vati­ ambassadors forth to the world's choice nongovernmental organizations can, die world's smallest nation, and its Irulers since the fourth century. around the world want to degrade this role at die United Nations is under attack t. rj It exchanges ambassadors with 169 na­ state's status at the United Nations be­ by hundreds of groups worldwide. How­ tions, including die United States, and cause die state vigorously opposes abor­ ever, bodies like die U.S. House of Rep­ maintains 179 diplomatic missions tion and artificial contraception. Indeed, resentatives, and die governments of abroad. some opponents don't even consider it a Chile and die Philippines have recendy .In fact, as an independendy governed state at all, labeling it die equivalent of an gone on record supporting its role at the entity, it's older than virtually all of die amusement park mat's allowed to stand United Nations. United Nations' current members. as a full nation in an international body. Continued on page 2 Bl tracked Cardinal O'Connor: Page 2