Dawoud: We Condemn the Torture of Iraqi Prisoners

After the service Dawoud answered questions from the press. Dawoud said the events, especially in Iraq and Palestine, were "horrible and sorrowful." He said: "We want the wars on earth to end and peace to be established as soon as possible. All world religions are brothers. The Vatican is against the war and violence."

Dawoud indicated that the Pope would write a letter to US President George W. Bush calling for an end to the war. "We condemn with intensity, hatred and animosity the torture that US Marines inflicted on Iraqi prisoners. We consider them inhumane. The Pope is very saddened by this."