I think of those who have been killed, of those made homeless, of those who have been torn from their families, of those who are being forced to flee. Let the solidarity of everyone be mobilised so that finally brotherhood and peace may begin to speak once more. On this holy day, I feel duty bound to make a heartfelt appeal to the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to allow a humanitarian corridor to be opened in order for help to be brought to the mass of people gathered at the border in Kosovo. My thoughts go then to the regions of Africa, where the distressing fires of war are slow to disappear, to the countries of Asia where dangerous social tensions are far from abating and to the countries of Latin America, committed to advancing on their laborious and uneven path towards goals of greater justice and democracy. In the face of persisting evidence of war and the countless grievous defeats of life, Christ the conqueror of sin and death urges us not to surrender.
Peace is possible, peace is a duty, peace is a prime responsibility of everyone.
May the dawn of the third millennium see the coming of a new era in which respect for every man and woman and fraternal solidarity among peoples will, with God's help, overcome the culture of hatred, of violence, of death. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.