De-nuclearise Korean peninsula: Pope

Pope Benedict XII stresses on bilateral and multilateral negotiations for 'just and stable peace in the world'.

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called for the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in his first comment on the nuclear crisis there since Pyongyang announced a nuclear test in October.

HT Image

Speaking as the new Japanese ambassador to the Vatican, Kagefumi Ueno, presented his credentials, the Pope said according to a Vatican statement: "I encourage your country to persist resolutely in efforts to contribute to stability and a just and stable peace in the world, particularly in the far East."

"In the crises affecting this region, the Holy See encourages bilateral or multilateral negotiations, convinced that the solution should be found through peaceful means... to achieve the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."