Holy Father interceded for captives in Iraq
Vatican, Apr. 9, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI wrote to Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, to plead for the release of 15 captured British sailors and marines, the Vatican has revealed.
In his letter to the Iranian Islamic leader, the Holy Father asked that the captives be released in time to return home for Easter, saying that this would be "a significant religious gesture."
The British captives were released a few hours after the Pope's letter was delivered. It is not known to what extent the papal appeal influenced Iran's decision.
I don't suppose the secular press will be reporting on this one, as usual. I could be wrong about that, though - maybe it will appear in a tiny space at the botton of a newspaper in print this size.
In his letter to the Iranian Islamic leader, the Holy Father asked that the captives be released in time to return home for Easter, saying that this would be "a significant religious gesture."
The British captives were released a few hours after the Pope's letter was delivered. It is not known to what extent the papal appeal influenced Iran's decision.
I don't suppose the secular press will be reporting on this one, as usual. I could be wrong about that, though - maybe it will appear in a tiny space at the botton of a newspaper in print this size.
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