Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday made a fresh appeal for peace in the Middle East, urging both sides in the conflict to lay down their arms. Addressing a crowd-packed St. Peter's Square at the end of his midweek audience, the pope said: "I renew my call to everyone to intensify their prayers for the gift of peace".
Citing part of a speech by Pope Paul VI to the United Nations in 1965, Benedict said: "If you want to be brothers, let your weapons fall from your hands".
"With efforts under way to finally secure a ceasefire and a just and lasting solution to the conflict, I repeat that it is possible to change the course of events when reason, good will, trust in each other and cooperation between responsible partners prevail," the 79-year-old pontiff said.
It was the pope's fourth appeal for an end to the war between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Last week, the German-born pope said that nothing could justify the "spilling of innocent blood".
He specifically referred to an Israeli air strike against the Lebanese town of Qana on July 30 which killed at least 54 civilians including 37 children.
Last month, he condemned the war, saying that history had shown no good would come of such conflicts.
The conflict was triggered by a Hezbollah incursion into Israeli territory on July 12 when guerrillas belonging to the group killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two others.
So far, at least 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than 100 Israelis.
