Summaries / Resúmenes - Studia Moralia

309StMor 41 (2003) 309-330BRIAN V. JOHNSTONE, C.Ss.R.POPE JOHN PAUL II AND THE WAR IN IRAQIn the aftermath of the armed intervention in Iraq and theoverthrow of the regime of Saddam Hussein, commentatorshave noted what appears to be a significant change in policy onthe part of the Papacy, expressed in the pronouncements of PopeJohn Paul II. 1 The Pope’s words seem to have been more forthrightand specific than comparable papal declarations in thepast. The clearest statement he made was that contained in hisaddress to the diplomatic corps in January 2003:“No to war”! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeatfor humanity. International law, honest dialogue, solidaritybetween States, the noble exercise of diplomacy: these are methodsworthy of individuals and nations in resolving their differences. Isay this as I think of those who still place their trust in nuclearweapons and of the all-too-numerous conflicts which continue tohold hostage our brothers and sisters in humanity. 2The Pope had earlier made similarly strong statements condemningall war. In his Angelus message for Sunday, 27 January2002, the Pope said: “Violence never again! War never again!Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religionbring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life,love!”. 31The changes, while manifested clearly in this period, have been inprocess, in the Pope’s thinking, for many years. See, Giovanni MICCOLI, “Laguerra nella storia e nella teologia cristiana,” in Piero STEFANI and GiovanniMENESTRINA eds., Pace e guerra nella bibbia e nel corano (Brescia: Morcelliana,2002) 138.2www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2003/january/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20030113_diplomatic-corps_en.html.3www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/angelus/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_20020127_en.html.