Pope John Paul has called for an end to Middle East violence, two days after a bomb killed a top Iraqi cleric and scores of followers.
In a prayer to the Virgin Mary during his weekly Angelus address at his summer residence outside Rome, the 83-year-old pontiff made a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Dry the tears that hate and violence provoke in many regions of the Earth, especially in the Middle East and the African continent," he said.
On Friday, a car bomb exploded outside a mosque in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, killing top Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim. Hospital officials said at least 95 people died.
In an audience for Egyptian bishops on Saturday, the pope renewed an appeal for the religions of the world to work together to denounce terrorism, bring an end to violence and promote justice, peace and fraternity.
"Dialogue is particularly needed after the tragic events linked to terrorism that have marked the start of the third millennium," he said, adding that public opinion could be tempted to blame them on religion.