Pope John Paul II today condemned recent attacks in Turkey and Iraq as "evil acts of terrorism" and also criticised Israel for building a barrier snaking into occupied territories.
Speaking at his Sunday noon address, the Pope urged an end to a spiral of attacks and reprisals in the Middle East.
At least 22 people died after car bombs exploded near two synagogues in Istanbul on Saturday and 19 Italians were killed in Iraq last Wednesday in a suicide attack on a military base.
Speaking to pilgrims in St Peter's square, the Pope also urged both Israelis and Palestinians to renew efforts aimed at peace negotiations and criticised Israel's building of the barrier, which the Jewish state says is to protect it from Palestinian suicide bombers.
In his first comment on the controversial Israeli fence, the Pope said: "In fact, the Holy Land does not need walls but bridges".