Pope calls for end to violence

POPE Benedict XVI yesterday appealed to a “shared Christian heritage” to implore all forces to end their fighting in Georgia and its South Ossetia province, which he said was creating “many innocent victims”.

“It is my fervent hope that all military actions cease immediately,” the Pope said.

The pontiff made his appeal following his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer before a packed square in the Italian north-eastern Alpine town of Bressanone, where he is on vacation.