On the eve of World AIDS Day, Pope John Paul II offered prayers Sunday to those who suffer from the deadly disease as he encouraged those in the Roman Catholic Church who care for them to continue their efforts.
John Paul's comments, delivered in his traditional Sunday greeting, came amid renewed criticism of Vatican opposition to using condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Vatican maintains that chastity is the best method of prevention.
Last month, the U.N. World Health Organization labeled as dangerous and "totally wrong" comments by a top Vatican cardinal, Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, that condoms don't sufficiently protect against AIDS, saying the HIV virus is small enough to pass through them.
Lopez Trujillo, head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, has made the claim in the past but repeated it in a highly publicized interview with the British Broadcasting Corp.
In his comments Sunday in St. Peter's Square, John Paul expressed concern about the spread of AIDS, particularly in poor countries.
"While I pray for those who are hit by this scourge, I encourage those in the church who carry out an invaluable service of acceptance, care and spiritual accompaniment to our brothers and sisters," John Paul said.
John Paul also called anew for peace in the Middle East as well as in Africa, directing his words to the leaders of the worlds' major religions to do their part for peace.
"I renew my appeal to the leaders of the major religions: Let us unite forces to preach nonviolence, forgiveness and reconciliation," he said.
John Paul also sent a special welcome to activists who on Sunday launched a new global campaign against the death penalty. The Vatican strongly opposes capital punishment.