Vatican treads carefully over Kosovo

Pope Benedict XVI has called all sides in the Kosovo crisis to "mutual respect and reconciliation". The comment came several days after ethnic Kosovo Albanians' unilaterally declared independence, a move Serbia rejects as illegal, as Belgrade's new ambassador to the Holy See, Vladeta Jankovic, handed over his credentials. Vatican treads carefully over Kosovo "In view of the current crisis in Kosovo, I call on all sides to act wisely… and to work toward such solutions that put emphasis on mutual respect and reconciliation," Beta quoted the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Italian news agency Ansa also reported that the Pope added he is "aware of how much the Serb nation has suffered in the latest conflicts", at the same time expressing his understanding for the Serbs and all the nations in the Balkans affected by the tragic events. "The Holy See shares your sincere desire for the peace that has been achieved to bring the final stability to the whole region," Benedict told Jankovic. Ansa notes that the Vatican rushed to, alongside Germany, recognize Croatia and Slovenia in 1991, when these two former Yugoslav republics declared independence, even before the EU opted for such a move. This resulted in temporary breaking off of ties with the Orthodox world and an accusation that Vatican played a negative part, complicating the ethnic conflicts in the Balkans. Today, the agency says, Vatican is "determined not to repeat the same mistakes when it comes to Kosovo". Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a front-page L’Osservatore Romano commentary that the Holy See "urged politicians in the region to show a decisive and concrete commitment to ward off extremist reactions and violence." The statement urged that respect be ensured for all ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities in Kosovo. It also said that Christian artistic and cultural heritage must be preserved. "The Holy Father continues to look with affection at the people of Kosovo and Serbia, is close to them and is praying at this crucial moment of their history," Lombardi wrote.

Vatican treads carefully over Kosovo

"In view of the current crisis in Kosovo, I call on all sides to act wisely… and to work toward such solutions that put emphasis on mutual respect and reconciliation," Beta quoted the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Italian news agency Ansa also reported that the Pope added he is "aware of how much the Serb nation has suffered in the latest conflicts", at the same time expressing his understanding for the Serbs and all the nations in the Balkans affected by the tragic events.

"The Holy See shares your sincere desire for the peace that has been achieved to bring the final stability to the whole region," Benedict told Janković.

Ansa notes that the Vatican rushed to, alongside Germany, recognize Croatia and Slovenia in 1991, when these two former Yugoslav republics declared independence, even before the EU opted for such a move.

This resulted in temporary breaking off of ties with the Orthodox world and an accusation that Vatican played a negative part, complicating the ethnic conflicts in the Balkans.

Today, the agency says, Vatican is "determined not to repeat the same mistakes when it comes to Kosovo".

Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a front-page L’Osservatore Romano commentary that the Holy See "urged politicians in the region to show a decisive and concrete commitment to ward off extremist reactions and violence."

The statement urged that respect be ensured for all ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities in Kosovo. It also said that Christian artistic and cultural heritage must be preserved.

"The Holy Father continues to look with affection at the people of Kosovo and Serbia, is close to them and is praying at this crucial moment of their history," Lombardi wrote.